Monday, 19th November 2007

Swedish prostitution law model for New Zealand

Independent MP Gordon Copeland today said that the enormous success of the 1999 reform of prostitution law in Sweden provides a model for New Zealand to follow.

"Swedish Officials have reported that the new law, the only one of its kind in the world, is an incredible success story," said Mr Copeland.

"The Swedish law criminalises the purchase or brokering of sexual services and provides for up to six years in prisons for pimps. On the other hand the selling of sex has been decriminalised since the goal of the new law is to assist the women, who are frequently emotionally and physically imperilled, out of the industry altogether."

"Stockholm, with a population of 1.9million, now has only between 105 and 130 women prostitutes - whether on the internet or on the street. It is way less than the number of prostitutes we have on the streets in Manukau City, with a population of just 335,000, let alone the number in brothels small and large."

Mr Copeland said that the Swedish law change in 1999 was a result of a decade long campaign by the women of Sweden and an increasing number of female MPs in the Swedish Parliament.

"My experience in New Zealand is the same. More and more women are beginning to realise that prostitution is an aspect of male violence against women and that gender equality will remain unattainable so long as men buy, sell, and exploit women through prostitution."

"My party, Future New Zealand, will seek to repeal New Zealand's failed Prostitution Reform Act, and move to adopt the Swedish model."

ENDS

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