Nordic model debate: Germany’s plan to penalize sex buyers

Germany’s new proposal to ban buying sex divides rights groups and lawmakers

Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) has sparked debate by proposing to ban the purchase of sex, advocating for the Nordic model. This move has drawn praise from women's rights groups like Solwodi, but also raised concerns about driving prostitution underground.

Klöckner's proposal aims to penalize clients, shifting the focus from the seller to the buyer. This approach, known as the Nordic model, has been implemented in countries like Sweden and Norway. However, its impact remains controversial, with some women's rights groups fearing it could increase vulnerability by pushing prostitution further underground.

Maria Decker, chairwoman of Solwodi, welcomes Klöckner's proposal as a step towards better protecting women. She believes Germany's current policy has not brought prostitution out of the shadows, with many women living in precarious conditions. Decker doubts the governing coalition's willingness to pursue the ban due to its divisiveness. The coalition, consisting of CDU, CSU, and SPD, has not yet presented a proposal to implement the Nordic model.

Research on the Nordic model's impact in other countries has yielded mixed results. While some studies suggest it has reduced street prostitution and trafficking, others indicate it may push prostitution indoors, making it harder to monitor and regulate.

Julia Klöckner's proposal to ban the purchase of sex has reignited the debate on Germany's prostitution policy. While welcomed by some women's rights groups, the Nordic model remains controversial due to fears of increased vulnerability. Maria Decker calls for a fundamental shift in policy and the implementation of nationwide exit programs to provide alternatives for women in prostitution.