Sweden was the first country in the world to adopt legislation criminalizing the purchase, but not the sale, of sexual services in 1999, according to official sources. The aim of the law was to reduce demand, equalize power balances, and lessen exploitation. A Swedish official evaluation found that fears the ban would drive prostitution underground have not been realized. Persons who have left prostitution were consistently positive about the ban, arguing it strengthened their position. The criminalization has reduced demand and deterred trafficking and organized networks, official sources said.
The partnership between France and Sweden was introduced in 2019 to reduce demand for girls and women in prostitution in Europe and globally. Sweden recently criminalized the purchase of sexual acts performed remotely online. Swedish Minister Nina Larsson stated that Sweden can learn from France's experience implementing exit programs for persons exploited in prostitution. French Minister Aurore Bergé said prostitution is not the oldest profession but one of the oldest systems of domination and exploitation of women. She added that France and Sweden confirm a joint commitment to promote the abolitionist model.
Sweden has an opportunity to learn from France's experiences of implementing exit programs for persons exploited in prostitution, which they introduced ten years ago in connection with the adoption of their legislation. Our laws must keep pace as the boundary between our physical and digital lives blurs. Therefore, the purchase of sexual acts performed remotely has recently been criminalized in Sweden. The provision has been amended to cover sexual acts performed in the digital world.