Dark Side of Desire: Examining the Spillover Effects of the Nordic Model of Prostitution

Abstract: Prostitution and its regulation is a topic of frequent discussion and is continuously debated. This paper provides estimates on the spillover effects of the "Nordic Model" of prostitution legislation adopted in Norway in 2009, according to which only sex buyers are criminalised. By employing a difference-in-differences framework, and examining the variation between the Norwegian counties, the paper explores potential spillovers in sexual offences and violence against women from the prostitution legislation. The empirical analysis found no significant results to support or reject any of the investigated spillover effects from the prostitution regulation. The findings provide insights for the Nordic Model of prostitution legislation, more concretely that the spillovers are sensitive to timing, national prerequisites and normative framework.