Sir, – Dr Eilís Ward and Dr Gillian Wylie boldly state in their letter (Letters, November 25th) that “the Swedish model doesn’t work” and as evidence say that there are still indications of some trafficking in Sweden.
There may well be some truth in that but there are plenty of other sources that show that Swedish laws have made a significant difference to reducing both trafficking and prostitution in that country.
Writing in the New Statesman in the past week, Rachel Moran reports that comparative official figures between Denmark and Sweden show much higher rates of both in Denmark.
Some will argue that just because the Swedish model does not solve all problems it should not be implemented. The alternative is to maintain the status quo.
The German magazine Der Spiegel reported last year that there are about 400,000 women involved in prostitution in Germany but only 44 of them are officially registered with the authorities, as German law allows.
To base a law on the minority "who don't see themselves as victims", is to leave the vast majority exposed to exploitation. Germany's laws are, as Der Spiegel pointed out, are now being viewed as a pimp's charter.
The Swedish model is not perfect but it is far and away the best proposal on offer. – Yours, etc, KIERAN McGRATH, Child Welfare Consultant, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
A chara, – Kathy Sheridan's article ("Telling the grim truth about prostitution", Opinion & Analysis, November 19th) was a welcome contribution to the ongoing debate about the situation of prostitution in Ireland, a discussion which has regrettably been dominated by distorted representations of the reality.
Ms Sheridan highlights certain myths which are central to the pro-sex work argument, including the “boys will be boys” justification, and the question of women freely choosing to enter prostitution.
These myths are perpetuated within an overall framework of denial.
We are in denial about the pervasiveness of patriarchy and its impact on our society. We are in denial about the clear links between gender inequality, the relentless commodification of female sexuality in our culture, and the demand for commercial sex; we are also in denial about the exploitative nature of prostitution which supplies this demand.
Prostitution is a symptom of gender inequality in this country, with women from economically-marginalised backgrounds making up the majority of those who are affected.
It is no coincidence that the Nordic countries are consistently ranked among the most equal societies in the world in terms of gender.
It is essential that we understand prostitution in the wider context of gender attitudes in our country, and challenge the denial that perpetuates the “happy hooker” image that pro-sex work advocates would have us believe is the norm; in reality, it simply doesn’t come close to the grim truth about prostitution. – Yours, etc, RUTH KILCULLEN, APT (Act to Prevent Trafficking), St Mary’s, Bloomfield Avenue, Dublin 4.