Beatrice Ask, the Swedish justice minister, has suggested that families be informed in situations where fathers or husbands are suspected of purchasing sex. “It is a little like being shamed on the town square,” said the government minister at a seminar last week.
The Local reports that Ms Ask made the contentious statements during a parliamentary discussion on prostitution, where she argued that friends and family of any sex-buyer should be informed of their actions. “I could imagine having envelopes in a very garish colour and sending them home to people suspected of this offence,” said the justice minister, who claimed that publicly outing supposed offenders would serve as an effective deterrent to others.
“I think that the worst thing which can happen to many of them who are out there buying sex, is that someone in their circles finds out about it,” Ask stated in an interview with Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet. She did concede that the idea of the garish envelope was possibly not the best approach but that the principle of the matter was worth investigating.
“In practice maybe we can’t have coloured envelopes, but we have to show who they are and let those around them know,” she told reporters, adding that she would be discussing the proposal with her parliamentary colleagues. “I have to check with them. They think I am a little wild from time to time,” the minister concluded.
This guy oughta be a religious radical. Only such a type of mind-sick being can come up with a punishment that ludicrous. Whomever has voted him should be publicly ashamed, just as well.
“has suggested that families be informed in situations where fathers or husbands are suspected of purchasing sex.”
Typical feminist mind set, like women never buy sex?, pufff!!!
but what the hell has it got to do with anyone else . . . what right have the state to interfere?
I do take your point, especially about the kids. I can’t see an ethical problem with it though in the case of people convicted or cautioned (in the UK, and perhaps elsewhere, accepting a caution from the police is an admission of guilt).
That assumes that purchasing sex in Sweden is illegal. Also, if they’re going to start naming and shaming people suspected of buying sex, then that’s a different matter.
I doubt she has thought this through. Maybe a partner could be notified, but what the hell has it got to do with anyone else? She is suggesting that the partner, children and parents should be humiliated as well? And if the partner is already aware of the situation and happy for it to continue, what right have the state to interfere?
Obviously its also a violation of someone human rights as well.