The last couple of days, we have been able to listen to the Swedish Radio’s investigation of prostitution in Sweden. The feature address, among other things, problems regarding how the Swedish authorities handle sex purchases. The police fail in their work against sex purchases in many parts of the country. In several counties not a… Read more »
Prostitution
New review by Robert Schenck – The theater piece Föddhora
On Friday, February 14, 2020, Robert Schenck visited Stora Teatern in Gothenburg to see the production of Föddhora. Föddhora is a theater piece by Martina Montelius played by Lo Kauppi. Here are Robert’s reflections after seeing the play. For those who missed the opportunity in Gothenburg, the set will also be played at Vävenscenen in… Read more »
Worrying sex trafficking at Thai massage salons
Through RealStar’s pioneering efforts with Thai massage salons, we have had hundreds of conversations with women and men at the salons. A frightening picture of the situation emerges with sexual exploitation, insecure work environment, vulnerability and lack of support and integration. Our initiative breaks the silence and we are proud of the film and labeling… Read more »
Engagement against sex purchases during sporting events in Åre and Östersund
In connection to the Alpine World Ski Cup in Åre and the Biathlon World Championships in Östersund 2019, the County Administrative Board of Jämtland County ran a campaign against sex purchases and prostitution. It is well known that the problem is increasing in connection with major events and RealStars has, for example, raised the issue… Read more »
Thailandssvenskarna – a book about males who purchase sex in Thailand
RealStars guest blogger Robert Schenk reviews a reportage book regarding the Swedish men who travel to Thailand to purchase sex – What are they thinking? And why do some of them move there? In Thailandssvenskarna (which means the Swedes in Thailand in English), the investigative journalist Joakim Medin brings the reader inside the Thai sex… Read more »
Opponents to the Sex Purchase Act write book that impedes our work
RealStars works actively against trafficking, both nationally and internationally. We advocate for reducing the demand and letting the sex purchaser take responsibility for their actions, which in international context is called “the Nordic model”. Prostitution leads to increased trafficking. If the buyer is criminalized, the demand will be reduced, which is an effective way to… Read more »
New study on the listed companies´ work against exploitation
Human trafficking is a global challenge and an urgent human rights issue, which is not getting enough attention at the moment. Companies in different branches can have a decisive effect here by cutting off access to products that are used by the sex industry. Companies don´t want to be associated with the sex industry either…. Read more »
Prominent British feminist shatters myths about prostitution and advocates the Sex Purchase Act
Our guest blogger Robert Schenck has read the book Pimp State and written a book review that highlights the importance of the sex purchase Act. In an easy-to-read format, the author Kat Banyard explains why the legalization of sex purchases is so problematic and how laws that allow prostitution are normative and characterize society’s view… Read more »
English book argues for the ”Nordic model”
Realstars’ guest blogger Robert Schenck regularly contributes with reviews of movies, books and other things that deals with trafficking, prostitution and sex purchasing. This time, Robert Schenck has taken on the book The Sex Economy, which brings up different perspectives on prostitution and decades of research and debates. One strength of the book is how… Read more »
Good start for the implementation of the French Sex Purchase Act is creating opposition
As the fifth country in the world, France voted in a Sex Purchase Act in accordance with the Swedish model almost three years ago. Within the abolitionist movement, we cheered, since that meant taking a big step forward in the fight against sex-trafficking and prostitution. However, the norm-breaking law faces criticism also in France. The… Read more »