Despite the fact that we find ourselves in a pandemic with restrictions and social distancing, men are still wanting to purchase sex. Sex purchasing in hotels have become more difficult, which creates an increased concern for the vulnerability amongst workers on Thai massage parlors and for women and children on the internet. RealStars and the… Read more »
Prostitution
How are women in prostitution and pornography affected by covid-19?
The corona virus affects everyone. However, some are more vulnerable than others. The recommendations directed at women in prostitution highlight a lack of knowledge about their reality and the rising demand for pornography can have terrible consequences. The European Network of Migrant Women has written an article on how migrant women are affected by the… Read more »
Three questions for Magnus Almhed
Every so often, RealStars interviews people to answer three questions and to offer their perspective on the work against trafficking and how to prevent unfair sex. Magnus Almhed was one of the people who helped RealStars during their first years. At the time, he was working at an advertising agency and fine-tuned our text, copy… Read more »
Time to start taking sex purchases seriously
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 »
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 »