International comparative explorations of prostitution policies: lessons from two European projects

Abstract

In this contribution we reflect on our experiences of co-designing and coordinating two comparative projects on prostitution policies in Europe by focusing in particular on the epistemological workings underpinning their design and execution. We set out two main goals. The first is to shed light on what the epistemological and methodological issues we encountered reveal about the field of prostitution policy studies, an endeavour which can contribute to better comparative research in the field. The second goal is to relate the scope, developments, outcomes and expectations of the two projects to recent attempts to identify a 'one-size-fits-all' model of prostitution regulation, and to interrogate whether transplanting it across Europe is a desirable outcome. Building on the lessons learned from the projects, we propose an approach to prostitution policy development that is reflective of the specific contexts within which the policies are meant to be applied.

Does criminalizing the purchase of sex reduce sex-buying? Evidence from a European survey on prostitution

“…To provide a detailed account of the policy development in these countries is outside the scope of this paper (for thorough account see: Crowhurst & Skilbrei, 2018;Wagenaar & Jahnsen, 2018). Instead, I present only major changes in prostitution policy from 1990s and onward for these eight countries to test the hypothesis on prostitution law and sex-buying behaviour.…”

The Making and Circulation of Nordic Models, Ideas and Images

“…Existing research has shown considerable global interest in the model. Many scholars conclude that the 'Swedish' or 'Nordic' model is among the international prostitution policies most often discussed and debated (Ward and Wylie, 2017;Crowhurst and Skilbrei, 2018;McMenzie et al, 2019). Moreover, the dominance of the 'Nordic' adjective suggests that this label may be more than a geographic and descriptive signifier model.…”

“…Indeed, the switch by campaigners from the term 'Swedish model' to the 'Nordic model' more firmly placed the model in the realm of gender equality and social welfarism. 13 In the case of prostitution policy circulation, researchers (Crowhurst and Skilbrei, 2018) have demonstrated that there is a particularly lively transnational exchange and a strong idea that prostitution is an area where policies would benefit from being harmonized. As demonstrated above, 'the Nordic model' can be put to use for securing agendas that are already present in domestic contexts but can be rebranded and legitimized as an uptake of Nordicity.…”

Prostitution In Russia: Discriminatory Practices And Trends In Professionalization

“…The use of various approaches to the regulation of prostitutional relations in European countries sets the task of finding the optimal model that can resolve the contradictions associated with the existence of prostitution. So, at the European level, the question was raised about determining the most effective form of regulation of prostitutional relations, harmonization of legal norms and the exchange of best management practices in different jurisdictions (Crowhurst & Skilbrei, 2018). In Russia, they currently adhere to a criminalization policy.…”