A few weeks ago, I, Malin Roux Johansson, traveled to Malmö City Hall with Vanessa Corneliusson, the chairperson of RealStars Sweden. As many of you know, I founded RealStars over a decade ago and have dedicated myself to combating trafficking ever since. We were thrilled to learn that RealStars had been selected as a finalist in the Gender category for the Diversity Index Award. On October 20th, we joined 24 other inspiring finalists, each with initiatives focused on promoting diversity and human rights. The event was truly unforgettable.
We were filled with anticipation, and with the challenges of the pandemic still fresh in our minds, we were especially delighted to see how warm and professional an event could be. Our expectations for the gala were fully met. After some mingling and opening speeches, the award ceremony began. On behalf of RealStars, I am deeply gratified that human trafficking and prostitution were highlighted as the grave human rights violations they are. Seeing our work recognized was incredibly meaningful.
I feel immense pride in having founded RealStars and in driving forward our initiatives alongside so many dedicated and knowledgeable individuals. I describe RealStars as a vast network of engaged people, all working together for FAIR SEX – AGAINST TRAFFICKING. Our supporters include schools, teachers, students, celebrities, hotels, taxis, Thai massage salons, industry organizations, corporations, interns, volunteers, and individuals – each contributing their time and efforts to advance this movement against human trafficking.
RealStars remains a small organization, with only a few employees – most on project-based contracts – and we continue to face ongoing financial uncertainty. Despite this, I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has contributed to funding our efforts.
Regardless of our financial challenges, we remain determined. RealStars is standing firm, working tirelessly to protect people from perpetrators who exploit their bodies, while ensuring that victims receive the support they need to live freely, free from exploitation, threats, and abuse. We aim for a zero-tolerance stance against sexual exploitation, and the coming years will be crucial for Sweden to remain a leader in the fight against prostitution and human trafficking. This vision must become a reality.
We can never accept anyone becoming a victim of these severe violations. In recent years, it has become disturbingly clear just how widespread this issue is in Sweden – one of the world’s most gender-equal countries. Here, sex trading and human trafficking occur daily across various platforms, driven by men who demand and push for sexual abuse. They pay for silence to keep their actions concealed from their partners, families, friends, and colleagues.
RealStars has a significant task ahead: through collaboration and advocacy, we must ensure that Sweden confronts and dismantles the structures that perpetuate the distorted ‘happy prostitute’ narrative. We must also put an end to the criminal networks that have infiltrated social media, turning websites into large digital brothels. These networks have also taken control of certain Thai massage parlors, hotels, and apartments, transforming them into places where physical assaults and severe human rights violations occur in silence.
The Diversity Index Award presented to RealStars in Malmö is a testament to our effective work and paves the way for the next steps in our mission for Fair Sex – Against Trafficking.
Below, you will find photos from the day along with the motivation for RealStars receiving the award! As an anti-trafficking organization, RealStars has led the way with various initiatives and given a voice to victims of human trafficking.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has contributed in both large and small ways to making RealStars a leading anti-trafficking organization that gives a voice to those who have fallen victim to human trafficking.
