WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE

Media reports often refer to three legislative models with regard to prostitution on which Canada could pattern its new legislation: legalization, prohibition, and the Nordic model. The first two speak for themselves, but most of us are much less familiar with the Nordic model.

• Because we seek equality between WHAT IS women and men Prostitution is an extremely gender-based THE NORDIC MODEL? practice of inequality, with women accounting Also known as the Swedish model, the Nordic for over 90% of prostituted persons and men model is an approach that situates prostitution on accounting for over 90% of the buyers. a continuum of male violence against women. It is • Because we oppose the capitalist vision an approach that criminalizes the purchase of sex of a world in which everything can be bought and pimping but decriminalizes prostituted indi- The sex industry is based on social inequalities, viduals. This is known as “asymmetric criminali- notably poverty. does not buy consent. zation”. In addition to the legislative component, It is part of a relationship of domination by the model includes programs to prevent the pur- one person who pays for sex over another who chase of sex and resources for women who want needs the money to survive. to exit prostitution. The Nordic model got its name from the fact that the first country to apply it, in • Because we believe in equal opportunity for all women 1999, was , followed in 2009, by Racism is pervasive in the sex industry, where and . It is now being considered in seve- sales are driven by exoticism, submission, and ral other European countries, including France, stereotypes. Racialized women and Aboriginal Ireland, England, and . women are over-represented in the most dehu- manizing forms of prostitution such as street WHY CHOOSE prostitution, bestiality, and sado-masochism. • Because we don’t believe it’s enough to simply THE NORDIC MODEL? reduce prostitution The Women’s Coalition to Abolish Prostitution It isn’t enough to simply reduce sexual exploi- and numerous other Canadian and international tation. Harm reduction, when it is applied to groups advocate the adoption of the Nordic model prostitution, causes serious damage. It lacks in Canada for a variety of reasons. a long-term vision, and often impedes assis- tance to women trying to exit prostitution and efforts to prevent others from entering the industry. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE NORDIC MODEL

• Because we believe in prevention as a remedy model prevents women from entering into prosti- for powerlessness tution by changing the social vision of this indus- Prevention, both in terms of the recruitment try (no, it’s not a “job like any other”!) and discoura- of women into the industry and the purchase ging men from paying for sex. of sex, is an idealistic but realistic solution that has repeatedly proved its effectiveness. Rather MYTH: Violence against prostituted than viewing prostitution as inevitable, we need women has increased in countries that to change mentalities as we have done with rape have adopted the Nordic model. and domestic violence. FACT: False. Male violence against women in pros- titution occurs regardless of the laws or whether it takes place outdoors (street) or inside (brothel). All groups, regardless of their position on prosti- MYTHS tution, and even the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada recognize that prostitution is dange- AND FACTS rous for women. Violence is an integral aspect of prostitution. It is not enough just to diminish the MYTH: If prostitution was legal it would level of violence; we must totally reject the prac- be easier to combat human trafficking. tice. Also, in the countries where the Nordic model FACT: The opposite is true. In countries where pros- has been adopted, women are reporting attackers titution has been legalized, the sex industry has more often because they are no longer considered expanded and, to a large degree, has remained hid- to be criminals. den because pimps make more money in the illegal trade. Human trafficking is also easier to hide in a MYTH: It is unrealistic to think that country where prostitution is legal. we can abolish prostitution. FACT: Not at all! Taking a position in favour of abo- MYTH: The Nordic model doesn’t lishing prostitution or passing abolitionist legis- help those who are prostituted. lation is not the same as eradicating prostitution. FACT: False. On the contrary, in Sweden, street Rape, child sexual abuse, and murder are still prostitution has been reduced by half in the 10 committed even though they are prohibited. But years since the model was first applied. There is a legal prohibition changes attitudes and helps to less sex trafficking in countries that have crimi- create a powerful social standard. Prohibiting the nalized the purchase of sex. Women trafficking purchase of sex conveys a clear message that the victims are assisted more quickly and support human body and sexuality are not commercial and resources are made available to women who goods. This contributes to the building of a truly want to exit the sex industry. Above all, the Nordic egalitarian society. /

WOMEN’S COALITION FOR THE ABOLITION OF PROSTITUTION - WWW.ABOLITIONPROSTITUTION.CA