The Netherlands

Criminalises forced trafficking but legalizes prostitution and aims to control it by legislation

Applies criminal sanctions against traffickers who use force and coercion

Legalizes prostitution and regulates it as work

Believes that its legalization will curtail trafficking, child prostitution, and organized crime

Encourages buyers to be aware of signs of trafficking and to report potential victims – asking “Have you seen the signals? Fear, bruises, no ‘pleasure’ in the job.”

How has it worked?

Buyers continue to be major perpetrators of violence against prostituted women and girls. In one study, 85% of prostituted women surveyed reported having been raped in prostitution

In 1960, 95% of prostituted people in Holland were Dutch; currently 80% are immigrants, most from poor countries

At least 70% of prostituted people in the Netherlands are undocumented

ChildRight reports that between 1996 and 2001, the number of prostituted children in Holland has increased from 4,000 to 15,000. One-third are immigrants

Over the last decade, the Dutch sex industry has grown by 25%

Sweden

Directs strong penalties against pimps, brothel owners and traffickers

Requires arrest and prosecution of buyers

Does not prosecute the women who are sold

Works to dismantle the social attitudes that underlie the prevailing systemic inequality between women and men

Funds services for those who have been trafficked

Initiates an intensive public education campaign against demand for trafficking

“Sweden recognizes that full gender equality . . . cannot be brought about as long as a subclass of women and children are victims of prostitution and trafficking.”

How has it worked?

A decline in sex trafficking into Sweden: the danger of prosecution coupled with diminished demand has made Sweden unfriendly territory for traffickers