Prostitution in Norway
Encyclopedia
Prostitution in Norway is only illegal in that paying for sex is a crime (the client commits the crime by purchasing sex, but not the person who sells sex). The Norwegian
law prohibiting the buying of sexual services (sexkjøpsloven) came into effect on January 1, 2009, following the passing of new legislation by the Norwegian parliament (Storting) in November 2008.
, and a prostitute is a prostituer, who sells sexual services (seksuelle tjenester). Derogatory words for sex workers in Norwegian include skjøge, ludder and hore. Hore (whore) is derived from the Old English hōra with roots in Indo-European kā which means "light". A pimp
is hallik, and a client is a horekunde. Men who sell sexual services to women are gigoloer (gigolo
s).
The exchange may take place on the street (gateprostitusjon) or in a brothel (bordell) , apartment (leilighetsprostitusjon) or the worker's home (bopel). Alternatively a worker may work through escort services (eskortetjenester). Use of the services of wealthy sex workers is referred to as høyklasseprostitusjon. Sex workers who have been coerced are called sex-slaver or victims of trafficking (trafficking-ofre). Child prostitution and sex tourism are barneprostitusjon and sex-turisme.
however neither the Justice Department (Justis- og politidepartementet) nor the Storting (Parliament) were in favour of taking this step. The Department did however promise to re-look at the situation in two years.
Norway then criminalised the purchase of sexual services from people under the age of 18 in 2000 (Law 76, 11 August; Penal Code art. §203).
had banned the purchase of sex in 1999, opinions remained divided in Norway. In 2003, as part of its Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children
the Justice Ministry investigated the situation in both the Netherlands
(which had recently legalised brothels) and Sweden to better inform the debate, and concluded that neither approach would be appropriate at that point.
The working group for this report was chaired by Professor Ulf Stridbeck, of Oslo University's law school.
With regard's to Sweden's law, the group found that reliable data was unavailable, the law was difficult to enforce, and had had little impact (p. 23).
The difference between the two countries they saw was the different way they defined prostitution, and hence approached it (p. 45). They were particularly concerned about the unintended effects of the Swedish approach(p. 52).
, typically Nigerian, on the streets of Norway.
It was argued that human trafficking was fuelled by a demand for sex and that therefore a ban was necessary, and whether solicitation
was offensive.
recent reports suggest it has returned to its previous levels.
This created great difficulties for Norwegian street workers.
Norwegians were interested in a report released in July 2010 in Sweden
, since it suggested a large increase in sex work in neighbouring Nordic countries once the Swedish law came into effect.
Following revelations that selling sex was as prevalent as ever, and that reporters posing as clients were easily able to negotiate transactions, Conservative MP André Oktay Dahl
, deputy chairman of the Justice Committee called for a repeal of the law.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
law prohibiting the buying of sexual services (sexkjøpsloven) came into effect on January 1, 2009, following the passing of new legislation by the Norwegian parliament (Storting) in November 2008.
Prostitution in Norwegian
Prostitution is prostitusjon in NorwegianNorwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
, and a prostitute is a prostituer, who sells sexual services (seksuelle tjenester). Derogatory words for sex workers in Norwegian include skjøge, ludder and hore. Hore (whore) is derived from the Old English hōra with roots in Indo-European kā which means "light". A pimp
Pimp
A pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
is hallik, and a client is a horekunde. Men who sell sexual services to women are gigoloer (gigolo
Gigolo
Gigolo may refer to:* A male prostitute, escort, or dancer, who offers services to women* Gigolo , a 2006 single by Helena Paparizou* Gigolo , a 2003 single by Nick Cannon...
s).
The exchange may take place on the street (gateprostitusjon) or in a brothel (bordell) , apartment (leilighetsprostitusjon) or the worker's home (bopel). Alternatively a worker may work through escort services (eskortetjenester). Use of the services of wealthy sex workers is referred to as høyklasseprostitusjon. Sex workers who have been coerced are called sex-slaver or victims of trafficking (trafficking-ofre). Child prostitution and sex tourism are barneprostitusjon and sex-turisme.
History
The possibility of criminalising the purchase of sex was discussed in an official report in 1997,however neither the Justice Department (Justis- og politidepartementet) nor the Storting (Parliament) were in favour of taking this step. The Department did however promise to re-look at the situation in two years.
Norway then criminalised the purchase of sexual services from people under the age of 18 in 2000 (Law 76, 11 August; Penal Code art. §203).
Working group report 2004
Although SwedenProstitution in Sweden
The laws on prostitution in Sweden make it illegal to buy sexual services, but not to sell them. Pimping, procuring and operating a brothel are also illegal...
had banned the purchase of sex in 1999, opinions remained divided in Norway. In 2003, as part of its Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Women and Children
the Justice Ministry investigated the situation in both the Netherlands
Prostitution in the Netherlands
Prostitution in the Netherlands is legal and regulated. Operating a brothel is also legal. In the last few years, a significant number of brothels and "windows" have been closed because of suspected criminal activity...
(which had recently legalised brothels) and Sweden to better inform the debate, and concluded that neither approach would be appropriate at that point.
The working group for this report was chaired by Professor Ulf Stridbeck, of Oslo University's law school.
With regard's to Sweden's law, the group found that reliable data was unavailable, the law was difficult to enforce, and had had little impact (p. 23).
The difference between the two countries they saw was the different way they defined prostitution, and hence approached it (p. 45). They were particularly concerned about the unintended effects of the Swedish approach(p. 52).
Changing policy due to immigration
The debate which finally led to the introduction of the sex purchase ban concerned the effects of the arrival of women from AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, typically Nigerian, on the streets of Norway.
It was argued that human trafficking was fuelled by a demand for sex and that therefore a ban was necessary, and whether solicitation
Solicitation
Literally, solicitation means: 'urgently asking'. It is the action or instance of soliciting; petition; proposal. In criminal law, it most commonly refers to either the act of offering goods or services, or the act of attempting to purchase such goods or services...
was offensive.
Sex Purchase Law
In November 2008 the Storting passed legislation which criminalised purchasing sex. This became section 202a of the Norwegian Penal Code.Section 202a
Any person who
(a) engages in or aids and abets another person to engage in sexual activity or commit a sexual act on making or agreeing payment,
(b)engages in sexual activity or a sexual act on such payment being agreed or made by another person, or
(c) in the manner described in (a) or (b) causes someone to carry out with herself or himself acts corresponding to sexual activity,
shall be liable to fines or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
If the sexual activity or sexual act is carried out in a particularly offensive manner and no penalty may be imposed pursuant to other provisions, the penalty shall be imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year
Effect of sex purchase ban
Despite an initial drop in the visibility of street sex work,recent reports suggest it has returned to its previous levels.
This created great difficulties for Norwegian street workers.
Norwegians were interested in a report released in July 2010 in Sweden
Prostitution in Sweden
The laws on prostitution in Sweden make it illegal to buy sexual services, but not to sell them. Pimping, procuring and operating a brothel are also illegal...
, since it suggested a large increase in sex work in neighbouring Nordic countries once the Swedish law came into effect.
Following revelations that selling sex was as prevalent as ever, and that reporters posing as clients were easily able to negotiate transactions, Conservative MP André Oktay Dahl
André Oktay Dahl
André Oktay Dahl is a Norwegian politician representing the Conservative Party. He is currently a representative of Akershus in the Storting and was first elected in 2005...
, deputy chairman of the Justice Committee called for a repeal of the law.