Knowledge bank

Prostitution

"I was not challenging the negative self-image I had been raised with and had carried with me all my life. Of course it caused me much suffering in the longer term, but at that time, in a sense, it was easier to accept that it would not be possible for me to assimilate into society than to set about the very frightening task of accepting my own potential."

— Rachel Moran
Paid For: My Journey Through Prostitution

Collage of images illustrating prostitution

Prostitution arises at the intersection of men’s demand for sexual acts and women’s vulnerability. Those who end up in prostitution do not do so by choice, but rather because of experiences of sexual abuse, poverty, violence, or a lack of alternatives. Research shows that early-life abuse is one of the strongest risk factors. It creates shame, anxiety, and a sense of worthlessness, which makes the person particularly vulnerable to further abuse.

Many describe an “inner compulsion”—like an inner pimp—that drives them back into environments where they are victimized again. To endure, they learn to shut off their emotions and mentally check out, something that starts as a survival strategy but later enables the reality of prostitution. Economic vulnerability exacerbates this vulnerability. When one lacks security, social support, and alternatives, money can seem like the only way to survive. The image of prostitution as a voluntary side job does not align with research or the reality we encounter.

The consequences are far-reaching: many suffer from PTSD, depression, self-harm, chronic pain, and recurring violence. For those depicted in pornography, the harm is often permanent because the material continues to circulate.

Sweden’s sex purchase law is based on the understanding that prostitution is not work but a form of sexual exploitation. Therefore, the buyer is criminalized, not the seller. The law has reduced street prostitution, made Sweden less attractive for human trafficking, and—not least—had a normative effect. The law has recently been strengthened to also cover certain sex purchases that take place remotely.

Leaving prostitution is a demanding process that involves regaining one’s dignity, building trust, processing trauma, and creating new conditions for livelihood and community. Talita supports women and men who want to leave prostitution, pornography, and human trafficking.

Through therapy, practical support, education, and future planning, we help our clients rebuild their lives. We believe that no human being is a commodity and that every individual has the right to a life of freedom and security.

Pornography

"Everyone who watches Deep Throat is watching me
ing being raped."

— Linda Lovelace

Pornography is often portrayed as consensual entertainment between adults, but the reality behind the camera is exactly the same as in prostitution. Many of those involved come from vulnerable life situations marked by past abuse, poverty, mental health issues, or dependency.

The consequences are serious: PTSD, dissociation, chronic pain, and lifelong anxiety that the material will be distributed and can never be taken back. Despite this, pornography production is not criminalized in Sweden.

Although laws on pimping and human trafficking could be used against porn producers, this is rarely done, and court cases show how difficult it is to prosecute exploiters when pornography is protected as a form of expression under the Constitution.
However, this does not mean that exploitation is legal. Coercion, manipulation, and exploitation in production may already fall under human trafficking or sexual offense laws, but enforcement is weak. The result is a legal vacuum where producers are rarely held accountable, even though the harm to those involved is at least as serious as in prostitution.

After many years of advocacy work, a government inquiry was launched in 2022 that revealed that violence and abuse in pornography production are widespread. The inquiry concluded that those who are exploited need support, care, and exit strategies—something that has been lacking until now. Legislation has recently been tightened regarding remote sex buying, meaning that certain forms of digitally ordered sexual acts may now be subject to criminal liability. But traditional pornography is still exempt, even though in practice it involves sexual acts performed for compensation in front of a camera.
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Talita argues that pornography production should be understood as commercial sexual exploitation. Anyone who organizes, films, or profits from another person’s sexual acts is acting as a pimp. Regulation of production is necessary and could be implemented without restricting freedom of speech.
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Sweden has begun taking steps to protect people exploited in both prostitution and pornography, but much remains to be done. Only when legislation clearly recognizes pornography production as a high-risk environment for exploitation can those at risk receive the protection and justice they need.

Human trafficking

“I’ve been held down like a piece of meat while monsters disguised as men violated me again and again.”

— Gladys Lawson
Blood Borne Connections

A collage of images depicting human trafficking

Human trafficking is often described as the slavery of our time. Although the transatlantic slave trade was abolished 200 years ago, millions of people today live in situations where they are bought, sold, and exploited—often in prostitution.

The driving force is demand. As long as there are men who want to buy sexual services, there will also be a market for recruiting, transporting, and exploiting women and children. Human trafficking is one of the most profitable forms of organized crime, alongside arms and drug trafficking.
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Under Swedish law, human trafficking is defined as the act of recruiting, transporting, harboring, or receiving a person for the purpose of exploiting them, using improper means such as violence, threats, deception, or the exploitation of vulnerability. It is sufficient that the intent existed—the exploitation need not have actually taken place. Any “consent” is irrelevant when improper means have been used. For children, this element is not even required: all trafficking of children for exploitation constitutes human trafficking, regardless of how it occurred.
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The range of penalties is high, but in practice, convictions are rare and sentences are often far below the maximum level. Researchers and authorities point to unclear legal requirements, narrow interpretation in the courts, and a lack of resources as reasons why many cases never make it all the way to trial. The number of unreported cases is high; the statistics largely reflect what is detected and prioritized—not the true extent of the problem.
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Behind every case lies a chain of vulnerability. Poverty, unemployment, discrimination, lack of education, and violent family situations increase the risk of being recruited. Many are lured with false job offers; others are exploited through relationships, debt, or threats against their families. The internet is now the largest marketplace: women and girls are advertised there, bookings are made, and “new” victims are presented to buyers. Control is maintained both through physical violence and through an “inner prison” of fear, guilt, shame, and dependence.

The consequences for those subjected to this are often lifelong: isolation, violence, sexual abuse, torture, drug use, severe trauma, and in the worst cases, death. Those who return home also risk stigmatization and exclusion, which leads many into new situations of exploitation.
Sweden has legislation against human trafficking, but true protection requires more than just words on the page: early detection, safe housing, exit programs, secure residence permits for victims of crime, and a clear focus on reducing demand.