WUNRN
22
January 2010 - dpa
NORWAY - FEWER STREET PROSTITUTES
SINCE BAN
Oslo - The number of street
prostitutes has decreased noticeably in Oslo a year after Norway banned the
purchase of sexual favours, according to estimates published Friday. The
Oslo-based Pro Centre, a publicly funded social service centre that works with
male and female prostitutes, estimates there was a 50-per-cent drop between
2008 and 2009 - the first year the ban was in force.
"We
estimate that roughly 500 people sell sex on the streets of Oslo," Liv
Jessen told the German Press Agency dpa.
The
number of prostitutes who work indoors, for instance from flats or hotels, was
estimated at some 900, down 16 per cent. Many are linked up with clients via
the internet or newspaper advertisements.
Jessen
said however the drop in the number of street prostitutes was not the same as a
decline in demand.
"Each
prostitute might have more customers," Jessen added, saying there was need
for more detailed research.
Most
prostitutes are foreign nationals including from Nigeria and eastern Europe.
Some stay for longer periods of time, others for "a week, 10 days to sell
sex and then they move on," Jessen said.
As
in neighbouring Sweden, the prostitute who offers these services is not
punished.
The
Swedish law was introduced in 1999.
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