Howard Chance unpacks: "Fairy tales & myths" of the ban fans

🚨 CRASS: Are we soon facing the end of legal sex work? This book sounds the alarm!

"10 years of ProstSchG - Prostitution in Germany put to the test: Is a ban on buying sex coming?" by Howard Chance

Dear Intimcity.at community,

imagine: One reach for the cash register - and suddenly paid sex is a punishable offense. This is exactly what politicians are hotly debating again. While the Prostitution Protection Act is 10 years old in Germany, the Nordic model (ban on buying sex) is being called for ever more loudly.

What does this mean for us in Austria?

Fewer customers from DE? Stricter rules here too? More stigma and uncertainty for escorts and providers?

Howard Chance, industry expert and long-time consultant to the red light scene, takes stock in his new book. Here are some of the strongest passages directly from the official announcement:

🚨 What is the "Nordic model"? Simply explained for the Intimcity community

Dear readers,

many of you have heard recently about a possible sex purchase ban - especially in connection with Howard Chance's new book. Here is a clear, practical explanation of exactly what the Nordic Model (also known as the Equality Model or Swedish Model) means.

How it works

• Punters are punished (buying sex is a punishable offense).
• Sex workers remain unpunished (the sale itself is not prohibited).
• In addition, there are exit programs, education and social support.
• Goal: reduce demand → less prostitution in society in the long term.

It was first introduced in Sweden in 1999 and later in Norway, Iceland, France, Ireland, Canada and other countries.

What supporters say

• Street prostitution is declining (in Sweden by 50 % in some cases).
• Social change: Buying sex is increasingly seen as "not okay".
• Better fight against human trafficking and pimping (according to some studies).
• Protects women by fighting the demand instead of the providers.

What critics (and many in the industry) say

• More danger in everyday life: clients become more nervous, negotiations faster and riskier → higher risk of violence, less condom use, poorer client screening.
• Underground instead of visible: Work shifts to the private sphere and the internet → poorer working conditions, isolation.
• Less income: lower prices, fewer customers.
• Stigma remains: Difficulties in finding accommodation, banks, getting out of work or healthcare.
• Many sex worker organizations around the world see the model as harmful because it makes the industry more unsafe, not safer.

Conclusion from practice: The Nordic Model makes prostitution less visible, but does not reduce it completely. For many active escorts and providers, it makes the situation noticeably worse, while it can help those who want to get out.

Why this is important for us in Austria

Germany is our big neighbor. If there is a ban on buying sex there, many German customers could stay away or move to Austria - with all the consequences for prices, demand and possible political debates here too.

In his book, Howard Chance criticizes precisely these "fairy tales and myths" of the proponents of the ban and focuses on real industry experience instead of ideology.

My personal assessment as editor of Intimcity

There are currently around 5,000 officially registered prostitutes in Vienna. These are digitally recorded, registered for tax purposes and therefore absolutely manageable for the authorities. In addition, there are an estimated 2,000 illegal sex workers who market themselves via platforms and social media.

Even today, it is practically impossible for the police to really control this mass.

Now imagine if prostitution (or buying sex) were banned completely: The number of illegals would not double, but probably triple. The state would lose massive tax revenues from the official operators and providers - and at the same time incur high costs to combat a huge shadow economy.

In my view, the Nordic model would be a shot in the foot. It sounds morally clean, but it harms the very people it is supposed to protect - and the bare state at the same time.

Howard Chance's book provides well-founded insights from 10 years of practical experience and a strong catalog of questions to help you form your own opinion. Absolutely worth reading for everyone who is active in the industry.

Pre-order now (delivery from May 18, 2026):

→ Directly in the Howard Chance shop

→ WhatsApp: 0176-77080604 | E-Mail: maxen2205@live.de

What do you think?

Would the Nordic model be a good idea in Austria - or exactly the opposite? Write your honest opinion in the comments! 🔥

Stay safe, informed and successful,