OSLO, (Reuters) – Norway’s ban on buying sex has reduced human trafficking and has not increased violence against women, as some had feared, a study commissioned by the government said. Following the example of its neighbour Sweden, Norway criminalised buying sex in 2009, but critics said the law would push prostitution underground, making women more vulnerable and increasing the likelihood of violence against them.
Nations like Finland, France and England have adapted a partial ban, making it illegal to buy sex from a person who was trafficked or pimped. Foreign governments have been carefully watching the effectiveness of the more comprehensive Norwegian and Swedish approach, which punishes buying but not selling.
“This report does not find any evidence of more violence against prostitutes after the ban on buying sex entered into force,” said the report, which was published on Monday.
