So that law, which (at least ostensibly) intended to eliminate an extremely exploitative profession, is a complete failure.

As I noted when the law was introduced, the situation of the prosititutes where not high up on the debate agenda of either side. But a purpose of the law is to decrease prostitution through a decrease of demand, in turn both through risk of detection and through stigmatisation of sex buying.

After some googling I find a government inquiry (SOU 2010:49 if anyone wants to read it) concluded that during the first ten years the effects included a decrease of street prostitution in Sweden when compared to Norway and Denmark. Internet prostitution increased in similar numbers in all three countries, leading to the conclusion that compared to not having the law (as in Denmark and Norway).

I don't think you get rid of public morality, I think you change it. Perhaps we are using different definitions.

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