Sex For Sale, But How?

The Netherlands has adopted a regulatory framework, but critics say this has created a complex system of rules and local variations that often endanger sex workers. In contrast, Belgium has become the first European nation to fully decriminalise sex work and formally recognise it as legitimate labour. While this progressive stance has received international acclaim, the process of implementation is still in its early stages.

Sweden has championed the so-called 'Nordic model', which targets clients with criminal sanctions in an attempt to tackle human trafficking and exploitation. However, sex workers operating within this system report feeling increasingly targeted and marginalised by the policies that are supposedly designed to protect them.

Despite each nation's stated commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of sex workers, new research suggests that the reality is often very different. The sex industry across Europe remains largely unregulated, with workers often having to operate in precarious conditions.

An investigative project examining these divergent policy models across Europe has revealed a troubling pattern. Rather than being grounded in empirical evidence or human rights principles, the ongoing debate remains firmly rooted in moral politics. The study suggests that this morality-driven approach may be undermining the safety and welfare objectives that policymakers claim to champion.

Photo: © Martijn Gijsbertsen