We posed this question to former chief prosecutor Thomas Ahlstrand. As a prosecutor, he has plenty of experience working cases related to sex trafficking. Here’s how he reflects on the Sex Trade Law.
1. The moral grounds on the individual level. To pay for sex is to inappropriately take advantage of; or exploit the disadvantaged. It is a perpetrator-victim perspective that happens regardless of the relation in the individual case.
2. The moral grounds on the societal level. To pay for sex is to contribute to the perpetuation of an oppressive structure, of the individual’s subordination or superiority.
3. The social reason. The sex trade prohibition has effectively reduced prostitution and human trafficking in Sweden.
4. Making sex trade criminal makes it possible for the police to intervene, track and locate trafficking gangs.
Malin for Realstars