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 have been long advocated by civil society. RealStars has, of course, read and reviewed the inquiries, which we summarize in three separate blog posts. Here, you can read about the inquiry “Out of Vulnerability – Report from the Inquiry on Exit Programs for People Vulnerable to Prostitution.”
A Welcome Inquiry
At the end of the year, the government presented the inquiry “Out of Vulnerability.” This is a welcome inquiry to help people who are exploited in prostitution and who need adequate support, protection, and, not least, exit programs to escape situations of sexual exploitation. The inquiry is an important step forward, as those of us working to combat prostitution can see that several countries are ahead of Sweden, despite the fact that the so-called Equality Model is based on a combination of criminalizing the purchase of sex and providing exit programs for those exploited in prostitution. In France, which is a pioneer in this area, thousands of people have received support since 2016, and this support has changed the lives of many who have fallen victim to the prostitution system.
The Task of the Investigator
The investigator’s task was to propose the design and organization of an exit program for adults who are exploited in prostitution and human trafficking, as well as a program for children exposed to sexual exploitation, and to identify an appropriate actor to manage the programs. Additionally, the task included reviewing how Sweden complies with international commitments regarding the identification, protection, support, and return of trafficking victims, and, if necessary, to propose measures to develop this work further.
Sweden Does Not Live Up to Its International Commitments
The inquiry finds that due to deficiencies in identification, protection, support, and care, Sweden cannot be considered to meet its international commitments—a point that civil society, including RealStars, has long pointed out. One example is the requirement that a victim of human trafficking must participate in legal proceedings to be granted temporary residence permits, which contradicts the EU’s Human Trafficking Directive. Therefore, the investigator proposes the possibility of granting a temporary residence permit of at least six months and a maximum of two years for people who participate in an exit program.
Recognizing Violence Victimization
The inquiry highlights one of the biggest problems when it comes to identifying and supporting people who are subjected to sexual exploitation: that these individuals are not currently seen as victims of violence but rather as participants in their own vulnerability in various ways. Changing this perspective would make a huge difference in how the target group is treated and would be an important step toward increasing identification and improving support for those affected.
An Individual Exit Program with Coordinators in Social Services
To ensure that people exploited in prostitution and human trafficking receive the support they need, the inquiry proposes an addition to the Social Services Act that establishes the social welfare board’s responsibility to ensure that the target group receives the necessary support to change their situation. It is emphasized that people in prostitution often have complex issues and that individuals have different needs and circumstances, meaning it is not possible to create a one-size-fits-all exit program. Instead, the proposal is for an appointed coordinator within social services to create an individual plan for the exit process, involving people from organizations such as the Employment Agency, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, and Mica Reception Centers.
Other Proposed Measures:
– Specialized low-threshold services aimed at the target groups, including children, should be developed in every county. These services should be able to offer PTSD treatment and be tailored to the complex problems of the target group.
– Professionals, especially in schools, social services, and healthcare, should have clear guidelines on how to ask questions about sexual exploitation in order to more easily identify people exploited in prostitution.
– The municipality responsible for establishing and implementing an individual plan for leaving exploitation should be able to apply for compensation from the government to cover costs. This would help create greater equity in support services across the country.
A Clear Improvement for the Target Group
The realization of these proposals would represent a significant step forward and a clear improvement for the target group, who currently often fall through the cracks. RealStars, which has long emphasized the importance of well-financed and well-functioning exit programs, is incredibly pleased that the government has finally placed this issue on the agenda.
Lack of Clarity on Protection Needs and Civil Society’s Role
Although the inquiry is fundamentally well-done, RealStars would have liked more clarity on certain aspects, especially regarding the urgent protection needs of adults in prostitution. While the need for protection for children is clearly highlighted throughout, the protection needs of adult victims are not emphasized as strongly. We also miss clear proposals and guidelines for the financing of women’s shelters and other civil society organizations providing safe housing (and other support during the exit process), and would have liked to see targeted financial investments in this area.
It’s Important to Identify Perpetrators – Could France’s Model Be an Alternative?
Finally, it would have been fantastic if exit programs and the criminalization of perpetrators could be linked by ensuring that the exit process always includes an offer of legal advice, where the victim can receive support and help in reporting the perpetrators. Gaining justice can be an important part of the exit process, and it would also lead to more criminals being identified, prosecuted, and convicted. In France, the assets of pimps and traffickers are confiscated and used to finance the exit programs—a model we would like to see implemented in Sweden.
