The Harm Behind Sweden’s “Protection”
They claim to want to save and help sex workers – but the Swedish sex purchase law does the opposite. The law creates stigma that only makes our lives harder. For those who have worked or are working in sex work, it often becomes nearly impossible to get other jobs, which in turn traps many in the profession.
👉 Read the Swedish article for more insight:
https://www.ottar.se/amanda-fick-sparken-efter-mejl-till-arbetsgivaren-om-onlyfans-konto/
After the effects of the new law
Here are several radio segments in Swedish about how the new law has affected online sellers of sexual services.
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sexsajt-ser-vandning-efter-nya-lagen-nu-okar-kunderna-igen
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/digitala-sexarbetaren-om-forbudet-jobbar-mer-tjanar-mindre
https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/sa-rundar-digitala-sexkopare-forbudet-efter-onlyfans-lagen
Is the sex purchase law an expression of carceral feminism?
Listen to Kontext’s podcast about carceral feminism, where they interview Ines from RFSL.
Pod about sexwork laws
Magasinet Konkret has made a podcast about the problems of sex work and the consequences of the law. It’s in Swedish, but you can listen to it here:
https://magasinetkonkret.se/kat-och-kritisk-sexarbete-och-rattigheter
Conference in Island
Old Pros is co-producing a one-day conference, Sex Worker Stories and Public Policy, to educate the Icelandic public about why decriminalization is the only policy that reduces violence. The conference will take place at The Nordic House, a prestigious cultural center in Reykjavik, Iceland on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 12–8pm UTC and will be free and open to the public.
Sex Worker Stories and Public Policy will bring together artists, advocates, and regional sex workers to engage in public discussions about the impacts of end demand laws on real people’s lives.
The conference includes a presentation and exhibit by Norwegian photo journalist and researcher Iselin Kristiansen, and a performance of The Oldest Profession, Kaytlin Bailey’s solo show covering 10,000 years of history from a sex worker’s perspective.
Activist and educator, Carol Queen will moderate two panels featuring representatives from Red Umbrella Iceland, Red Umbrella Sweden, and PION (Sex Worker Interest Organization of Norway).
Conference Program
11-11:30am Welcome! There will be coffee and snacks available for purchase.
11:30-12:30pm: Presentation Birna Gústafsson MS, a public health researcher will present on the impact of end demand on public health.
1-2pm: Sex Worker Stories Panel: Carol Queen PhD will moderate a conversation with representatives from Red Umbrella Iceland, PION & Red Umbrella Sweden about sex worker stories and the challenge of telling people about our lived experience.
2:30-3:30pm: Presentation Iselin Kristiansen will present her documentary project ‘Conversations on sex and work
3:30-4pm: Q&A with Iselin and Lilith, a subject and representative from PION
4:30-5:30pm: The Future of Public Policy Panel
Carol Queen will moderate a conversation with representatives from Red Umbrella Sweden, Red Umbrella Iceland & PION about the impact of End Demand Laws and why sex worker led organizations are advocating for Decriminalization.
6pm-7pm: Performance:
Kaytlin Bailey will present The Oldest Profession
7-7:30pm: Q&A with presenters, panelists and performers
Sign up for the livestream here: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjM1ODM3
Read more here: https://oldprosonline.org/conference/
Sex workers are censored!
The government decides what we can and cannot film, without looking into the background or how we work.
Read the article from one of our members (in swedish)
Our spaces are shrinking
Several new laws are making sex workers feel even more insecure and the opportunity to make our voices heard is shrinking. Read the Swedish article here:
https://magasinetkonkret.se/sexarbetares-liv-riskerar-att-bli-mindre-sakra-nu
Pod about the Nordic Model
In the Old Pro´s pod they talk about the Nordic Model and interview some of RUS members.
https://oldprosonline.org/end-demand-in-sweden-norway-iceland
Sexworkers needs a union
Sex workers in Sweden are fighting for their right to join a union. It’s a major success that they’ve finally become part of one! Here’s an article in Swedish:
https://magasinetkonkret.se/dags-for-sexarbetare-att-organisera-sig
Sex workers in culture
Do you want to read books, watch movies, or listen to podcasts made by or with sex workers?
Then we have a list for you here: