The legislation -- inspired by the success of neighbouring Sweden which
criminalised the purchasing of sex in 1999 – is actually rather more robust
than that of its next door neighbour, setting a new pace for prostitution law
reform.
Designed to reduce trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual
exploitation in Norway, the legislation is welcomed by many Norwegian NGOs.
Maya Brenna Nielxem, of Norwegian NGO ROSA project says “We strongly support
this law as it is of ultimate importance that society makes a statement to
the trafficking victims that we do not condone the sale and rape of them. We
hope that this will reduce the levels of trafficking and other forms of
commercial sexual exploitation in Norway. “
Norway is a country of destination for trafficking in women and children. The
majority of trafficking victims come from or through the Baltic states, other
Central and Eastern European countries, and Russia, as well as from Latin
America and Thailand. Recently Norwegian Government authorities have
expressed their awareness of the growing problem of trafficking into the
country. This week the UK Home Office announced changes to British prostitution
law, introducing the offence of paying for sex with someone who is controlled
for gain along with giving new powers to police to close down premises where
sexual exploitation is taking place.
Nola Leach, the chief executive of British campaigning group CARE said: “We
are encouraged that the Government is tackling the demand for trafficking and
prostitution. Although this is a positive step forward we are concerned that
anything less than a blanket ban on payment for sex (as in Norway) will not go
far enough to protect vulnerable people”.
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