“This paper argues that Washington State, and the city of Seattle in particular, is an important US case study site for the introduction of a new legal and social service model similar to the Nordic model…

In contrast to both criminalization and legalization/decriminalization frameworks, the Nordic model is premised on the understanding that women’s equity depends on excising structural barriers that preclude women’s full economic, social, and political inclusion. A core component of the Nordic model is the prohibition of the purchase of sexual services law. This law asymmetrically criminalizes buyers of prostitution and third-party profiteers (pimps and brothel owners), while maintaining the decriminalization of individuals sold in prostitution.”