• Sweden edition
Society

Big increase in prostitution reports

Published: 27 Jul 10 17:54 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/28034/20100727/

The number of people reported to the police for buying sex has risen five-fold in Sweden in the past year, according to new figures.

During the first half of 2009 a total of 148 people were reported for paying prostitutes for sex. The number for the same period this year was 770.

A large part of the rise - 430 cases - was due to the discovery of a major prostitution ring in Jämtland county, north-western Sweden. But even when these cases are discounted, the figures had more than doubled.

But police said the dramatic increase was probably not due to a sudden rise in the number of men visiting prostitutes. Rather, they credit increased measures to tackle prostitution and human trafficking. An extra 40 million kronor has been allocated this year to pay for training and strengthening of the police’s operations against the sex trade.

“The figures are absolutely a result of the fact that the police have been given the means to dive deep into this,” said Chief Inspector Kajsa Wahlberg, who advises the government on human trafficking issues.

The national pattern was reflected in Sweden’s major cities. In Skåne, which includes Malmö, some 20 cases of paying for sex were reported during the whole of 2009. So far this year, 50 cases have been reported. There, the extra money has been used to increase internet monitoring of the sex trade, which has resulted both in more reports of people paying for sex and in a fall in street prostitution.

Västra Götaland, which includes Gothenburg, also saw a big increase in reports:

“I wouldn’t say that everything is hunky-dory. But it’s a big increase and it’s clear that we can be pleased with the good results,” said Mats Palmgren, deputy head of the police in greater Gothenburg.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

19:08 July 27, 2010 by locaxy
Morons wasting taxpayer money in the name of the good ol' Christian ideals.

Sex is a service. Regulate it. Tax it.
19:36 July 27, 2010 by conboy
Suprised demand is that high given the behaviour of Swedish women generally why go and pay for it when it is on a plate?
20:44 July 27, 2010 by eZee.se
Well, it certainly looks like someone is giving a fu.. :))
23:07 July 27, 2010 by wxman
Probably not the best photo to use with this subject. Looks more like a male biker. On the other hand, perhaps that's appealing to some.
23:35 July 27, 2010 by Michael84
Sorry to hear it. Any chance immigrants could be related to this?
01:31 July 28, 2010 by vicarno
@Michael84 there you go again......immigrants??? hell NO.

But honestly can someone tell me why prostitution should not be legalised in this country, more sex trade is going on more than we can ever imagine.

Just make this oldest trade legal and enforce tax payment, that 40 million bucks should be useful elsewhere in my opinion.
01:32 July 28, 2010 by rabbemos
Where are these prostitutes? No really, where?
03:17 July 28, 2010 by Da Goat
this is a trouble some law as it is almost impossible to prove as the pro has to admit he.she was paid for sex and not something else! and if they do that the subsequent customers might get around the law by not paying at all!

the more one thinks this law out the sillier it gets!
10:54 July 28, 2010 by resartajo
As always, with this law Sweden is pushing its sh*t to their neighbours and then claim that they are the cleanest country in the world.

While prostitutes cannot work in Sweden, the customes go massively to other countries (Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Thailand) where women's righs basically don't exist.

Instead of legalizing and give rights to people that work in something that will always exist (here or in the nearest border), they just deny it and move the problem elsewhere so that they can brag at how advanced their society is. Hipocrites.
15:10 July 30, 2010 by Rebel
Wonder how many of the men going to prostitutes are married to Swedish women who have gone into the sexually dormat phase of their lives (that is, 4 years after the wedding)?

As for prostitutes, can anyone think of anything more boring than an encounter with a Swedish prostitute

I once tuned into a Swedish porn movie on one of the cable networks and while the women were attractive, it looked as if everyone had just popped a bottle of tranquilizers.
17:49 July 30, 2010 by Icarusty
I blame the immygrunts because... erm... they're barbaric and only think about sex therefore when they can't get it from a whore they rape that's why we have so many rapes in the Western World I have never seen a white rapist, paedophile or murderer it's ALL THE IMMYGRUNTS
05:54 August 19, 2010 by scorpion69
Please see my comment under Laura Agustins article belo
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Swedish addicts could get glass 'free zone'

Swedish addicts could get glass 'free zone'

Politicians in the small Swedish town of Falköping want to give alcoholics and drug users a glass-encased zone in the middle of a central square, saying it would lessen public disturbances and allow "the down and out" to socialize. READ () »

EU probes SAS airline over state aid

EU probes SAS airline over state aid

The European Commission opened an in-depth probe on Wednesday to see if state aid given to Scandinavian Airlines by Sweden and Denmark conformed to EU rules. READ () »

Fashion Fix
Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

In The Local's new Fashion Fix column on Swedish trends, Englishwoman Victoria Hussey gets up close and personal with shoes - namely "brothel creepers" from WWII that have been making a steady return to Stockholm pavements. READ () »

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Imported frozen raspberries should be boiled before eaten according to new advice from Sweden's National Food Agency, which warns that the berries may carry the novo virus that is more known for causing winter vomiting disease. READ () »

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

A deceased patient who had no relatives was left in a room for five days at the Örebro University Hospital before staff realized the body was still there. READ () »

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Stockholm bus traffic was at a standstill Wednesday as drivers launched a major strike at midnight, but a group of Conservative youths disrupted the action by replacing a bus route between two of the city's major hospitals. READ () »

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Sweden Democrat MP Kent Ekeroth has to pay tax for money sent to his bank account as donations to two far-right websites that he claims to have nothing to do with editorially. READ () »

The Local List
Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner Swede can change your life. READ () »

More Society

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
Elodie Pradet/The Local Elodie Pradet WikiCommons Private/Scanpix Scanpix fastighetsbyrån.se Elodie Pradet/The Local File photo: AP File photo: Scanpix Private Göran Höglund/Flickr Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Snuggling With the Enemy

19 June 19:39

Kentucky’s Bourbon Royalty Visits Sweden »

"He's not a celebrity in Sweden, but everyone in Kentucky knows the name Fred Noe. Even more people know the name of his great-grandfather, Jim Beam." READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE