New Norway law bans buying of sex

[frigidmagi]

BBC

A new law has come into force in Norway making the purchase of sex illegal.

Norwegian citizens caught paying for prostitutes at home or abroad could face a hefty fine or a six-month prison sentence, authorities say.

The prison sentence could be extended to three years in cases of child prostitution.

The Norwegian authorities say they want to stamp out sex tourism and street prostitution by targeting clients rather than prostitutes.

"We think buying sex is unacceptable because it favours human trafficking and forced prostitution," deputy Justice Minister Astri Aas-Hansen was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Wire-tapping

The tough new measures go further than similar ones introduced by other Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Finland.

Norwegian police have been authorised to use wire-tapping devices to gather evidence.

There has already been a visible decrease in women working on the streets of central Oslo, local media report.

Prostitutes will be offered access to free education and health treatment for those with alcohol or drugs problems.

The government had already launched a publicity campaign before the law came into force.

Critics of the new regulations say prostitution will simply be driven underground and will be more difficult to control.

You know this might be a good idea.

[The Cleric]

The last sentence really strikes me. Wouldn't severe enforcement of the anti-trafficking/forced prostitution laws really benefit more? Eliminate the seedy side of the business, while providing the same services (education, health care, rehab) for those looking to leave the industry.

[Comrade Tortoise]

I do tend to agree with Cleric, there is no reason why two truly consenting adults should not be able to enter into a contractual agreement exchanging money for sex. The way to get rid of forced prostitution is to crack down on organized crime and allow prostitutes to form self-organized government regulated unions...

[frigidmagi]

I'd like to point out many cases fail because the women in question will not testify afraid of being charged for prostitution. By passing these laws they makes it easier for these girls to seek help.

[Norseman]

I'd like to point out many cases fail because the women in question will not testify afraid of being charged for prostitution. By passing these laws they makes it easier for these girls to seek help.

Others are afraid of being expelled from the country. Laws allowing prostitutes to stay if they give testimony can also help a lot.

[The Cleric]

I'd like to point out many cases fail because the women in question will not testify afraid of being charged for prostitution. By passing these laws they makes it easier for these girls to seek help.

How? If prostitution is legal and has defined guidelines, with laws and systems for mediation of any issues, THAT would make it easier for them to seek help. Making it more illegal does nothing to help the girls in court, for the exact reason you put forth.

[The Silence and I]

For the moment I'm with The Cleric--I don't quite see how making it severely criminal makes it EASIER to admit being a prostitute and seek help over abuses X, Y, Z.

[frigidmagi]

I was speaking as to why this law was passed gents.

[The Cleric]

You lost me there. I see nothing in the original post about making it easier to be a lawful prostitute.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the original laws simply made prostitution illegal for both parties. In this case, it is only illegal for the buyer. While this situation is preferable to the old one, the optimal solution is to legalize and regulate prostitution and allow prostitutes to self organize.

[SirNitram]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the original laws simply made prostitution illegal for both parties. In this case, it is only illegal for the buyer. While this situation is preferable to the old one, the optimal solution is to legalize and regulate prostitution and allow prostitutes to self organize.

Frankly, I want to see unionized sex workers. One because they'd be able to get the protections and standards they need. Also because a general strike's signs for be /fucking hilarious/.

[Derek Thunder]

Well, the ideal situation would be to have a central planning organization for sex, somewhat along the lines of GOSPLAN, such that sex is not controlled strictly by the idle capitalist class, but...

Arguing for legalization of prostitution is tricky, because Holland has had a huge human trafficking problem from eastern Europe as women are either enticed, manipulated, or outright kidnapped to work 'legally' in brothels.

Also a prostitutes union may run into unique trouble in the US, as we tend to lack the labor protection laws in place in other first-world nations.

[SirNitram]

Well, the ideal situation would be to have a central planning organization for sex, somewhat along the lines of GOSPLAN, such that sex is not controlled strictly by the idle capitalist class, but...

Arguing for legalization of prostitution is tricky, because Holland has had a huge human trafficking problem from eastern Europe as women are either enticed, manipulated, or outright kidnapped to work 'legally' in brothels.

Also a prostitutes union may run into unique trouble in the US, as we tend to lack the labor protection laws in place in other first-world nations.

I think if we don't have the votes of Congress public, we could get 500+ in the House and 100 in the Senate for Aye, if it's tagged to legal prostituion.