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Law & Legislation

Sexkaufverbot

Criminal law prohibition on the purchase of sexual services — not in force in Switzerland, but politically discussed.

Auch bekannt als: Sex-Kauf-Verbot, Freierkriminalisierung, Kauf­verbot

A prohibition on purchasing sex (also "criminalization of clients") makes the purchase of sexual services punishable — sex workers remain unpunished, only the clients are prosecuted. The model is the Nordic Model (Sweden 1999, Norway, Iceland, France, Ireland, Israel, Canada).

In Switzerland, sex work has been legal since 1942 and a purchase ban is not in effect. Political initiatives (Center Party, EVP, parts of the SP) regularly call for a ban — most recently in the Federal Parliament 2024/2025. However, studies by the research institute INFRAS and the Bern University of Applied Sciences (2025) show that sex workers in countries with a ban on purchasing sex experience violence more frequently, as the business shifts into illegality and protective structures break down.

Sex worker associations (ProCoRe, FIZ, Aspasie) and the WHO oppose bans on purchasing sex. Proponents argue for women's protection and the fight against human trafficking.

See also

  • Nordisches Modell — Legal model that criminalizes the purchase, but not the sale of sexual services (Sweden 1999).
  • Freier — Colloquial term for the clients of sex workers — not punishable in Switzerland.
  • Sexarbeit — The voluntary provision of sexual services for payment—legal in Switzerland since 1942.
  • Menschenhandel — Criminal exploitation of a vulnerable situation for the purpose of sexual exploitation — Section 182 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

These definitions are intended to provide general guidance within the Swiss adult entertainment industry. For legal or medical questions, please contact a specialized agency (see Resources) or a specialist.

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