In the final months of 2023, the Swedish government finally put sexual exploitation on the agenda and presented three important inquiries. These focus on stronger criminal law protection for minors, exit programs, and the vulnerability within pornography. These issues and inquiries are crucial for Sweden’s efforts to combat prostitution, and some of the proposed measures… Read more »
Swedish Government Official Report: Stronger Criminal Law Protections – Addressing Sexual Harassment, Certain Types of Fraud, and Gender-Based Hate Crimes
In the final months of 2023, the Swedish state took an important step by placing sexual exploitation on the agenda and presenting three critical investigations. These focus on stronger criminal law protections for young people, exit programs, and the vulnerabilities associated with pornography. These issues and investigations are vital for Sweden’s efforts to combat prostitution,… Read more »
The Year 2023 with RealStars
As the year comes to a close, we at RealStars want to take a moment to reflect on and share some of the highlights from the past year. While our drive to create change and make the most of every resource often keeps us focused on the future, it’s just as important to pause and… Read more »
The EU Parliament resolution recognizes prostitution as a form of violence and commends the Nordic Model for its approach
In September, the European Parliament adopted a resolution recognizing prostitution as a form of violence against women and other vulnerable groups—a form of violence that cannot be effectively addressed as long as procuring and buying sex remain legal. The resolution encourages member states to follow the example of countries like Sweden and France by criminalizing… Read more »
US interest in Sweden’s Sex Purchase Act: An interview with Madeleine Sundell
A Swedish delegation recently traveled to the United States, visiting New York and Philadelphia to present Sweden’s approach to combating prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation. The goal of the visit was to foster a knowledge exchange between the two countries, addressing areas such as legislation, legal frameworks, prevention strategies, and support systems for vulnerable groups—especially… Read more »
SVTs series’ present the truth about sugar dating – review by Robert Schenck
Many of you have likely noticed that SVT recently released two series about sugar dating: Köp mina trosor (Buy my panties) and Sugarbabe. Robert Schenck reviewed these SVT series and noted that they reveal the truth about sugar dating—it’s about criminal activity. RealStars emphasizes the importance of the media scrutinizing sugar dating and highlighting the… Read more »
A survivor speaks: the effects of prostitution are a prison in themselves
Advocates for a liberal approach to prostitution laws often emphasize the difference between “voluntary” and forced prostitution/trafficking. But can prostitution truly be voluntary? In this text, I draw parallels to my own experience in prostitution, recounting how curiosity and rebellion quickly turned into desperation and coercion, trapping me in a vicious cycle of prostitution and… Read more »
Spain Holds EU Presidency and Focuses on Digital Dimension in Brussels
In the beginning of November, it was time for the EU’s autumn conference and meetings for civil society organizations and national rapporteurs in Brussels. The Commission and the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator hosted the events, but the country holding the presidency left its mark. This term, the presidency was held by Spain, a country that in… Read more »
Young people create for Fair Sex – student competition 2023 winners
Throughout the year, Realstars, with the support of HM Queen Silvia’s foundation Care About the Children, organized two competitions for high school students in Stockholm. In one of these competitions, students created art to combat sexual exploitation, and prizes were awarded to the most creative contributions. The winners were selected by a jury. Realstars received… Read more »
Stockholm’s Best Fair Sex School 2023
During the year, RealStars, with the support of HM Queen Silvia’s foundation “Care About the Children,” has organized two competitions aimed at high schools in Stockholm. One of the competitions aimed to honor the schools’ work on the overarching curriculum topic “Sex, Consent, and Relationships” by mapping the activities the schools have carried out throughout… Read more »
