On 3 September 2016, a Dutch newspaper published a long-read article about the Swedish approach to prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes, with a focus on the demand, and with references to other countries that have followed suit: “Swedish Prostitution Model Conquers the World”. The chairperson of IFHR, Gunilla S. Ekberg, was interviewed for the article.

The author of the article states that: “Buying sexual services becomes increasingly difficult. In Sweden the buyer is punished. This is an approach that is followed by many countries,” and goes on to criticize the approach taken in the Netherlands: “Administratively, the idea of voluntary prostitution has always been surrounded with doubt. Soliciting is addressed, but the underground sex business has never disappeared.” The article can be accessed online here. A PDF is available here