Norwegian sex law inspires Hungarian NGO

The NGO “Foundation for the Women of Hungary (MONA)” has since 1992 worked on improving the situation for women and children in Hungary who are victims of sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

In October 2008 the Foundation began an 18- month project entitled “Development of interdisciplinary cooperation in Hungary to support the fight against trafficking and prostitution”.

The project was implemented with 72 116 euros in support from the Norway Grants, through the NGO Fund, and targeted the Hungarian government, politicians, lawyers, policemen as well as civil organizations.

Knowledge from Norway

One of the main goals was to work out recommendations to adjust the laws on trafficking and prostitution in Hungary.

This was done by analyzing relevant laws in Sweden and Norway, and then adapted to Hungarian laws.

16 months into the project, MONA gathered experts and NGOs interested in the field to a conference on March 9th to share and exchange knowledge about the project. Experts from both Norway, Sweden and the US were represented.

Social debate and press interest

The conference was divided in two parts. Part one focused on the situation in Hungary, with a presentation of the project.

Representatives from MONA emphasized that there is a lack of information and research in the field of prostitution and trafficking in Hungary.

Andrea Matolcsi from the Foundation presented the project´s objectives, activities and results. - The project has involved 30 NGOs and public agencys, and generated both social debate and press interest, explained Matolcsi.

In addition to the analysis of the Norwegian and Swedish laws against prostitution and human trafficking, the project also has worked on establishing a detailed plan for a nation-wide network of support, assistance and protection of the victims.

The Foundation also carried out training for the Hungarian police force so that they can provide the victims with necessary support.

Norway further than Sweden

The second part of the conference focused on international experience and representatives from Norway shared of their expertise.

Birgitte Ellefsen from the Coordination Unit for Victims of trafficking (KOM) presented KOM´s work and emphasized the controversy surrounding the ban against purchase of sexual services in Norway in 2009. She also pointed out the positive effect the law have had after just one year.

- We can now more easily control the sale of sexual services and follow up the cases that needs special attention, said Ellefsen.

Elise Skarsaune from the Reform Resource Centre presented, on the other hand, social attitudes in Norway when it comes to trafficking and prostitution, seen from a man´s perspective.

– Our experience is that men want to talk about the subject and share information about why they buy sex, explained Skarsaune.

Both women emphasized that Norway base its approach on a Swedish model, but the Swedish representative, Lars Bäck from Baltic Fem, highlighted that Norway has come further in the issue than Sweden.

International commitment 

The Norwegian ambassador to Hungary was also present at the conference and Her Excellency emphasized in an opening speech that human trafficking is a global, transnational problem that entails gross abuse of the victims’ human rights.

- How we can tackle prostitution and prevent trafficking are important issues in Norway, and we are actively trying to combat all types of human trafficking, both nationally and internationally. Norway has made an international commitment to combat human trafficking, said Norway´s ambassador to Hungary, Siri Ellen Sletner.

To read more about the project visit www.norvegcivilalap.hu or www.mona-hungary.hu