Sweden is once again leading the charge in protecting women and girls from sexual exploitation, this time by extending its pioneering Nordic Model – which criminalised the buying of sex back in 1999 – to the digital realm.

It was an honour to have South Australian Liberal MLC Nicola Centofanti come and speak to us in Adelaide over the weekend about the critical work she is doing to combat the exploitation of women in prostitution.

By Stephanie Bastiaan

On the 30th of August, Upper House Liberal Leader Nicola Centofanti introduced the Summary Offences (Prostitution Law Reform) Amendment Bill 2023, making South Australia the first state to debate prostitution reforms based on the Nordic Model, also known as the Equality Model. Following the failures of ‘regulated’ or decriminalised legislative models rolled out in other states across Australia, it is a welcome development. 

By Rachael Wong

Today, Israel will become the 8^th country to institute a “Nordic Model” law combating human trafficking and prostitution (the two being inextricably interlinked). Joining Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Canada, France and Ireland, Israel will make buying or attempting to buy sex illegal. The landmark law will be introduced in conjunction with public education and rehabilitation services for prostituted persons.