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Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - SFAdmin - 06-07-2024
Why the Nordic Model is a bad approach to prostitution
In this post, we will talk about the Nordic Model in prostitution, about why it is a bad approach, and we will discuss all of our upcoming articles here. If you're looking for information about how this model impacts sex workers, men, and society at large, you've come to the right place. This thread will serve as a central hub where we post summaries, updates, and community discussions around this controversial legal framework.
What is the Nordic Model?
The Nordic Model, also known as the Swedish Model, is a legal approach to prostitution that criminalizes the purchase of sexual services while decriminalizing the selling of them. In theory, this aims to target the demand side of prostitution—punishing buyers while "protecting" sex workers. The model was first introduced in Sweden in 1999 and has since been adopted by several other countries including Norway, Iceland, France, and Ireland.
Proponents argue that this model helps to reduce human trafficking, discourage demand, and empower women to leave the sex industry. However, 25 years after its implementation in Sweden, there is mounting evidence that the Nordic Model causes more harm than good.
1. Why the Nordic Model is bad for sex workers
Criminalizing clients but not sex workers might sound like a good compromise, but in practice, it puts sex workers in more danger. Since buyers are afraid of being caught, sex workers are forced to work in more hidden and less safe environments. They have less time to screen clients, are often forced to lower their prices, and face increased violence. This creates worse working conditions and removes access to legal protection or medical services.
The stigma also worsens. Even though the sex workers themselves are not criminalized, the entire act becomes taboo, pushing them to the margins of society. The model ignores the voices of sex workers who argue for autonomy, dignity, and legal rights.
You can read more in our article: Top 10 reasons why the Nordic Model is bad for sex workers
2. Why the Nordic Model is bad for men
The Nordic Model unfairly criminalizes men who engage in consensual sex work transactions. These men are not criminals—they are fathers, retirees, or individuals who simply want intimacy or connection. Instead of recognizing this, the law punishes them, often with serious legal consequences.
This can lead to a rise in blackmail, discourage men from seeking medical help, and create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. By outlawing a consensual activity, it also infringes on personal freedoms and human rights. It’s not a sustainable or fair solution for a diverse, modern society.
More details are available in: Top 10 reasons why the Nordic Model is bad for men
3. Why the Nordic Model is bad for society
When you push prostitution underground, you create a breeding ground for crime. Illegal sex work becomes more common, which means less regulation, more abuse, and more risk of sexually transmitted infections. Law enforcement becomes overloaded trying to catch clients, diverting resources away from real criminal activity.
It also leads to the loss of tax revenue, the closure of legal establishments, and unemployment. This model does not eliminate demand—it just hides it, giving more power to criminal networks that thrive in unregulated environments.
For more societal impacts, check out: Top 10 reasons why the Nordic Prostitution Model is bad for society
4. What’s happening in Sweden after 25 years?
Sweden, the pioneer of this model, offers a 25-year case study of its effects. The results are mixed at best. While there are fewer visible signs of prostitution, the sex trade has simply moved indoors or abroad. Swedish men increasingly travel to countries where buying sex is legal. Sex workers, many of whom are migrants, continue to operate in unsafe conditions.
Law enforcement officials admit that the people they arrest aren’t hardened criminals—they’re ordinary people. And instead of improving the lives of sex workers, the model has led to fear, stigma, and stress. Meanwhile, Sweden has one of the highest rates of reported rapes in Europe, raising questions about whether the model actually reduces sexual violence.
For a full picture, read our dedicated article: Sweden’s Nordic Model: 25 years later, is it working?
Please comment below and join the conversation.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - PunterKing - 06-07-2024
There is an interesting data piece in the article: Sweden has one of the highest rates of rape cases per 100,000 people in the world. Only a few very shady African countries have worse rates. If we compare Sweden to Austria, there are 6-7 times more rapes per 100,000 people in Sweden than in Austria. This must be clear evidence that something is not right in that country.
Austria has a very good sex scene, and of course, we can witness a lot of problems here too. But if we check the girls' side, they have a good chance to work legally and there are also a lot of better places. If they are not too attractive anymore, there are still smaller brothels for work, so they don't need to work on the streets or illegally with a pimp.
Has anyone ever asked these girls what they want? A ban would totally ruin their lives. They would be without a job, and it is very hard to find a regular job in the current economic crisis.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - appleboy - 10-29-2024
I've just had a chance to read this article. This is serious. I had never heard that the situation is so severe in Nordic countries; people usually think everything is nice and cool there. I also strongly believe that the Nordic model is flawed, and customers can never be blamed. The reason is simple: they pay the bill, and if someone pays, they shouldn’t be insulted. Otherwise, what we see in the article will happen: criminals take advantage of the situation, the girls face numerous problems, and the regular customers disappear, leaving mostly shady customers.
I am quite shocked that there are people who want to introduce this model in Austria. Here, at least, we have a working model that is relatively fair for brothels, sex workers, and clients alike. Additionally, the government benefits from taxes and contributions.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - PunterKing - 10-31-2024
Hopefully, this will never be introduced in Austria. It could have as strong an effect on the sex industry as COVID did a few years ago.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - PunterKing - 11-05-2024
Again, a very good article: https://sex-vienna.com/2024/10/29/swedens-nordic-model-25-years-later-is-it-working/
After hours of watching and waiting, the police often face setbacks—sometimes they don’t make a single arrest. When they do catch a client, the person may deny buying sex, but they still have to come in for questioning. Inside the apartments, the police often see grim conditions—small rooms with just a bed and a couple of chairs. In one case, a client paid 130 euros to a 50-year-old Swedish woman who said she was doing it because of financial problems after her divorce.
Personally I found it terrible that police officers are waiting for hours to catch red-handed clients. Meantime the really serious criminals are on the streets and doing their stuffs. And as the example shows, there are reasons why woman works as prostitute, the 50-year-old woman in the article had serious financial problems. By deterring her clients, who will win on this situation?
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - supertotti - 11-08-2024
These Nordic countries are rich and people live well. They can spend a lot money on such bullshits.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - Milfhunter69 - 11-08-2024
(11-05-2024, 08:21 AM)PunterKing Wrote: Again, a very good article: https://sex-vienna.com/2024/10/29/swedens-nordic-model-25-years-later-is-it-working/
After hours of watching and waiting, the police often face setbacks—sometimes they don’t make a single arrest. When they do catch a client, the person may deny buying sex, but they still have to come in for questioning. Inside the apartments, the police often see grim conditions—small rooms with just a bed and a couple of chairs. In one case, a client paid 130 euros to a 50-year-old Swedish woman who said she was doing it because of financial problems after her divorce.
Personally I found it terrible that police officers are waiting for hours to catch red-handed clients. Meantime the really serious criminals are on the streets and doing their stuffs. And as the example shows, there are reasons why woman works as prostitute, the 50-year-old woman in the article had serious financial problems. By deterring her clients, who will win on this situation?
Very interesting article. I dont support the nordic model and I think that they didnt think this through. Nobody wins, its bad for everyone.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - cambodia - 11-13-2024
(11-08-2024, 10:15 AM)Milfhunter69 Wrote: Very interesting article. I dont support the nordic model and I think that they didnt think this through. Nobody wins, its bad for everyone.
These bans are based on false social beliefs, like prostitution is bad, prostitutes are evil, they must get a "normal" job and many more. They don't see the people behind these sex workers, who just want to earn money for their everyday lifes.
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - SFAdmin - 04-08-2025
We've just published a new article about a growing debate in Germany: should buying sex be banned? The story is based on an interview with Elke Bartels, a former police president, who supports the idea of introducing the Nordic Model. This would mean that buying sex becomes illegal, but selling it would still be allowed. Bartels believes this could help stop forced prostitution and make it easier for the police to inspect brothels and shut down illegal ones.
She says that Germany’s current laws are too relaxed, and that this makes the country a target for human trafficking. She also feels that many women in prostitution may not really be choosing it freely, even if they say they are. Bartels thinks changing the law could shift how people view sex work, and she hopes society would stop seeing brothel visits as something fun or normal.
Read the whole story here, with our additional comments and opinion: https://sex-vienna.com/2025/04/04/should-buying-sex-be-banned-in-germany/
RE: Nordic model and why it is bad for sex workers - fodor - 05-10-2025
(04-08-2025, 07:21 AM)SFAdmin Wrote: We've just published a new article about a growing debate in Germany: should buying sex be banned? The story is based on an interview with Elke Bartels, a former police president, who supports the idea of introducing the Nordic Model. This would mean that buying sex becomes illegal, but selling it would still be allowed. Bartels believes this could help stop forced prostitution and make it easier for the police to inspect brothels and shut down illegal ones.
Austria now has a quite safe paid sex scene, and Germany also offers many brothels where sex can be offered safely. I know that criminals are still heavily involved in the German scene, but still.
Now imagine what would happen if there were no legal possibilities for sex, only illegal brothels or prostitutes working out of apartments. Those Scandinavians with their silly brothel bann ..