Prostitution in Singapore (Part 8) : The sex trade in other countries

What are other countries approach to prostitution? The laws vary considerably around the world. In the last part of our discussion on prostitution, the panellists are asked if Singapore can learn from other countries.

Volunteer counsellor, Timothy Weerasekera, cited the Nordic model. Rather than focusing on supply it criminalizes demand. In other words, those who buy sex can be prosecuted. In Sweden, this has resulted in the number of prostitutes dropping by two-thirds and trafficking cases have also been drastically reduced. Sweden, is now held up as a model for European reform on prostitution law.

Braema Mathi, President of MARUAH, talks about the policy in Victoria, Australia which has legalised prostitution. This, she says, has helped reduce exploitation. She also cited Switzerland, where to make prostitution less of a public nuisance and safer for women, the government has introduced drive-in garages, dubbed ‘sex-boxes’ by the media. A special park has been designated where drivers can negotiate a fee with the sex workers and then drive into one of the sheds. The idea is that this will combat pimping and provide greater security for the women.

Lawyer, Suresh Damodara doesn’t believe that prostitution can be eradicated and thinks that the best objective is to try and control it better. That means changing the laws. Right now, the prosecution of prostitutes comes under the Miscellaneous of Offences Act. This is confined to prostitutes who solicit in public places but Suresh says there is a case to broaden the scope and make solicitation per se, an offence.

To discuss Singapore’s less attractive side of life we have a number of experts:

Host: Kenneth Liang
Speakers : Suresh Damodara, Saleemah Ismail, Timothy Weerasekera, Braema Mathi, Shih Shu Hui
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