2026-03-262025/26:JuU12 · p.5JuUJustice
Complainant status in sex purchasing offences
Victim (plaintiff) status for people subjected to the purchase of sex
What's at stake: The decision affects what rights people exploited in prostitution have in legal proceedings, for example the right to damages, legal counsel for victims, and other support measures. It particularly concerns women, often with a foreign background, who are in a vulnerable situation and may need this support to feel able to take part in investigations against those who exploit them.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should call on the government to set up an inquiry into generally granting people who sell sexual services the status of plaintiff (injured party) in sex-purchase cases, or whether the current arrangement - where the question is decided case by case - should be retained.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion on plaintiff status for people who sell sexual services. The committee points, among other things, to the fact that the question of plaintiff status is already decided case by case based on the circumstances of each individual matter, and to the fact that the legislation on the purchase of sex and related offences has recently been reviewed, so there is currently not seen to be grounds for a further statement.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 5 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) calls for the government to set up an inquiry into granting people who sell sexual services plaintiff status during the preliminary investigation and trial. The reasoning is that only one in ten people in completed and attempted sex-purchase offences currently receive such status, even though the buyer harms both society and the person selling sex. Plaintiff status would provide rights to damages, criminal injuries compensation and legal counsel, which can be decisive in giving women - many with a foreign background and in a doubly vulnerable situation - the confidence to seek help and take part in legal proceedings.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 5 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: LLiberalerna
Ja 160–123Ja 149–134
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/16/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/91/0/15 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/13/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 17/0/0/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the planagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 57/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motions 2025/26:2782 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) claim 12, 2025/26:3361 by Annika Hirvonen et al. (MP) claim 1 and 2025/26:3586 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S) claim 80.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:2782 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 12, 2025/26:3361 av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1 och 2025/26:3586 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S) yrkande 80.
Riksdag decision: Parliament rejected approximately 120 proposals in motions concerning violent crime and crime victims. The motions were submitted during the general motion period 2025 and address, for example, strengthened protection for crime victims, as well as contact bans and protected personal data. Parliament primarily refers to the fact that work is already underway on the issues that the proposals address.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to review legislation on human trafficking and sexual exploitation. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 5
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan sees someone exploited in prostitution as subject to patriarchal violence and requires a justice system where women's experiences are taken seriously and where legal security is upheld through legal aid.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan sees someone exploited in prostitution as subject to patriarchal violence and requires a justice system where women's experiences are taken seriously and where legal security is upheld through legal aid. Complainant status gives the right to damages and legal representation and makes it possible for a doubly vulnerable group to seek help and participate in legal proceedings. It is directly in line with the plan's view of crime victims.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ser den som utnyttjas i prostitution som utsatt för patriarkalt våld och kräver ett rättssystem där kvinnors erfarenheter tas på allvar och där rättssäkerheten upprätthålls genom rättshjälp. Målsägandestatus ger rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde och gör det möjligt för en dubbelt utsatt grupp att söka hjälp och medverka i rättsprocessen. Det ligger direkt i linje med planens brottsoffersyn.
- women's experiences are taken seriouslydecisive»Det är viktigt att rättssystemet fungerar, att kvinnors erfarenheter tas på allvar och att de som begår brott döms.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important that the justice system works, that women's experiences are taken seriously and that those who commit crimes are convicted.”
- sex purchase as oppression»en bärande del i kvinnors frigörelse och rätt till sina kroppar att den« (party programme ↗)“a fundamental part of women's liberation and right to their bodies that the”
- legal aid and legal security»Rättssäkerheten behöver upprätthållas genom rättshjälp, medborgerlig« (party programme ↗)“Legal security needs to be upheld through legal aid, civil”
- women's vulnerability should be broken»Otrygghet har varit många kvinnors vardag under stora delar av historien.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Insecurity has been many women's daily life for much of history.”
The plan wants to see a strong society that protects those in a vulnerable position from being exploited, and requires forceful combat of men's violence against women with support for those affected.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see a strong society that protects those in a vulnerable position from being exploited, and requires forceful combat of men's violence against women with support for those affected. Complainant status gives right to damages and legal aid and is thus precisely such support that makes those affected dare to participate in legal proceedings. The plan therefore supports investigation of the question.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se ett starkt samhälle som skyddar den som är i en utsatt position från att exploateras, och kräver kraftfullt bekämpande av mäns våld mot kvinnor med stöd till de utsatta. Målsägandestatus ger rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde och är därmed just ett sådant stöd som gör att utsatta vågar medverka i rättsprocessen. Planen stöder därför att frågan utreds.
- stöd till våldsutsattadecisive»Kraftfullt bekämpande av mäns våld mot kvinnor, våld i nära relationer samt stöd till« (party programme ↗)“Forceful combat of men's violence against women, violence in close relationships and support for”
- skydd mot exploatering»Socialdemokratin vill se ett starkt samhälle som skyddar den som befinner sig i en utsatt position« (party programme ↗)“Social democracy wants to see a strong society that protects those in a vulnerable position”
- stoppa sexualbrott»Krafttag för att stoppa hedersrelaterat våld, sexualbrott och mäns våld mot kvinnor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Forceful action to stop honour-related violence, sexual crimes and men's violence against women.”
- likhet inför lagen»En rättsordning som bygger på allas likhet inför lagen.« (party programme ↗)“A justice system based on everyone's equality before the law.”
The plan establishes that all crime victims shall be met with respect, receive support and reparation and that support to crime victims needs to be significantly expanded.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that all crime victims shall be met with respect, receive support and reparation and that support to crime victims needs to be significantly expanded. Giving someone who sells sexual services plaintiff status gives precisely the right to damages and legal representation that the plan demands, and follows from the principle of acting against the perpetrator instead of restricting the victim. The plan does not mention plaintiff status, which is why the position is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla brottsoffer ska mötas med respekt, få stöd och upprättelse och att stödet till brottsoffer behöver byggas ut kraftigt. Att ge den som säljer sexuella handlingar målsägandestatus ger just den rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde som planen efterfrågar, och följer av principen att agera mot förövaren i stället för att begränsa offret. Planen nämner inte målsägandestatus, varför ställningstagandet är härlett.
- reparation for crime victimsdecisive»Alla brottsoffer ska mötas med respekt, få stöd och upprättelse – och varje brott som begås ska tas på allvar.« (party programme ↗)“All crime victims shall be met with respect, receive support and reparation – and every crime committed shall be taken seriously.”
- expanded victim support»Stödet till brottsoffer behöver byggas ut och stärkas kraftigt, så att ingen lämnas ensam efter att ha blivit utsatt för brott.« (party programme ↗)“Support to crime victims needs to be significantly expanded and strengthened, so that no one is left alone after being subjected to crime.”
- measures against perpetrators»Vi måste tydligt agera mot våldsutövare, inte begränsa offrens frihet.« (party programme ↗)“We must clearly act against perpetrators of violence, not restrict victims' freedom.”
- prostitution is not consent»skärpa samtyckeslagen så att det blir tydligt att prostitution inte innebär samtycke till sex.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“tighten the consent law so that it becomes clear that prostitution does not imply consent to sex.”
The election manifesto demands that the crime victim perspective be strengthened and that those subjected to crime receive redress and better support, and that access to legal representation be improved.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto demands that the crime victim perspective be strengthened and that those subjected to crime receive redress and better support, and that access to legal representation be improved. Injured party status in sex purchase crimes gives precisely the right to damages and legal assistance for a doubly victimised group. The party programme's goal of a society free from prostitution reinforces the conclusion.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att brottsofferperspektivet stärks och att den som utsatts för brott får upprättelse och bättre stöd, samt att tillgången till ombud förbättras. Målsägandestatus vid sexköpsbrott ger just rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde för en dubbelt utsatt grupp. Partiprogrammets mål om ett samhälle fritt från prostitution förstärker slutsatsen.
- strengthened crime victim perspectivedecisive»Brottsofferperspektivet måste stärkas. Den som utsatts för brott ska få upprättelse och bättre stöd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The crime victim perspective must be strengthened. Those subjected to crime shall receive redress and better support.”
- better access to legal representation»Ledtiderna för handläggning och myndighetsutövning i domstolar och myndigheter måste kortas och tillgången till ombud förbättras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Processing times and exercise of authority in courts and authorities must be shortened and access to legal representation improved.”
- free from prostitution»vill se ett samhälle fritt från våld i hemmet, människohandel och prostitution.« (party programme ↗)“we want to see a society free from domestic violence, human trafficking and prostitution.”
- support for crime victims»Det är också viktigt att brottsoffer får bättre stöd och att eftervåldet bekämpas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is also important that crime victims receive better support and that repeat violence is combated.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme explicitly states that people in prostitution shall receive protection and support to move on and be able to be given victim status.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly states that people in prostitution shall receive protection and support to move on and be able to be given victim status. The counter-proposal's demand for an investigation into complainant status for sex purchase crimes is precisely that commitment translated into procedural law, and the plan links victim status to precisely compensation, support and strengthened legal aid. Supporting crime victims is described as a core task for the justice system.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår uttryckligen fast att prostituerade ska få skydd och stöd att gå vidare och kunna ges brottsofferstatus. Motförslagets krav på en utredning om målsägandestatus vid sexköpsbrott är precis det åtagandet omsatt i processrätten, och planen kopplar brottsofferstatus till just skadestånd, stöd och stärkt rättshjälp. Att stödja brottsoffer beskrivs som ett huvuduppdrag för rättsväsendet.
- victim status for people in prostitutiondecisive»Prostituerade ska få skydd och stöd att gå vidare och kunna ges brottsofferstatus.« (party programme ↗)“People in prostitution shall receive protection and support to move on and be able to be given victim status.”
- support for crime victims»Insatser för att stödja brottsoffer är ett huvuduppdrag för både rättsväsende och socialtjänst.« (party programme ↗)“Support for crime victims is a core task for both the justice system and social services.”
- compensation for crime victims»Brottsoffer ska snabbt få det skadestånd som utdömts i domstol utan att behöva kräva ut det av den dömde.« (party programme ↗)“Crime victims shall quickly receive the compensation awarded in court without having to claim it from the convicted person.”
- strengthened legal aid»Den allmänna rättshjälpen ska stärkas.« (party programme ↗)“General legal aid shall be strengthened.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan requires that society stands on the crime victim's side and that sanctions as far as possible lead to the perpetrator making economic compensation to the crime victim.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that society stands on the crime victim's side and that sanctions as far as possible lead to the perpetrator making economic compensation to the crime victim. Victim status for the person selling sexual acts gives precisely the right to damages and legal aid and makes more people dare to participate in the legal process. The plan also marks that abuse of women shall be taken seriously in legislation.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att samhället ställer sig på brottsoffrets sida och att påföljder så långt möjligt leder till att förövaren gottgör brottsoffret ekonomiskt. Målsägandestatus för den som säljer sexuella handlingar ger just rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde och gör att fler vågar medverka i rättsprocessen. Planen markerar också att övergrepp mot kvinnor ska tas på allvar i lagstiftningen.
- crime victim's sidedecisive»Samhället ska ställa sig på brottsoffrets sida.« (party programme ↗)“Society shall stand on the crime victim's side.”
- compensation to crime victims»brottsoffer ekonomiskt för det lidande eller den förlust som uppstått« (party programme ↗)“crime victim economically for the suffering or loss that has occurred”
- counter sexual exploitation»sexualiserade slavhandeln med kvinnor och barn« (party programme ↗)“sexualized slavery of women and children”
- violence against women is serious crime»I lagstiftningen måste markeras att våld mot kvinnor är ett allvarligt« (party programme ↗)“In legislation it must be marked that violence against women is a serious”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's core commitment is that the justice system must always stand on the crime victim's side and that the crime victim's position in the legal process shall be greatly strengthened, concretely through doubled damages, easier payment of compensation and expanded right to a victim's counsel.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's core commitment is that the justice system must always stand on the crime victim's side and that the crime victim's position in the legal process shall be greatly strengthened, concretely through doubled damages, easier payment of compensation and expanded right to a victim's counsel. To investigate victim status for the one who sells sexual acts is an application of the same principle. The plan does not mention sex crimes, which is why coverage is inferred.
Original (Swedish)
Planens bärande åtagande är att rättssamhället alltid ska stå på brottsoffrets sida och att brottsoffrets ställning i rättsprocessen kraftigt ska stärkas, konkret genom dubblade skadestånd, enklare utbetalning av ersättning och utökad rätt till målsägandebiträde. Att utreda målsägandestatus för den som säljer sexuella handlingar är en tillämpning av samma princip. Planen nämner inte sexköpsbrott, varför coverage är härledd.
- expanded victim's counseldecisive»Utöka rätten till målsägandebiträde för äldre brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Expand the right to a victim's counsel for older crime victims”
- crime victim's position strengthened»Rättssamhället måste alltid stå på brottsoffrets sida. Moderaterna kommer kraftigt stärka brottsoffrets ställning i rättsprocessen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The justice system must always stand on the crime victim's side. The Moderate Party will greatly strengthen the crime victim's position in the legal process.”
- higher damages to crime victims»Dubbla skadestånden till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Double damages to crime victims”
- easier crime victim compensation»Underlätta utbetalningen av ersättning till brottsoffer för att minska lidandet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Facilitate payment of compensation to crime victims to reduce suffering”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's criminal law starting point is that policy should be shaped in the best interests of the crime victim and that the victim's position, support and right to damages should be strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's criminal law starting point is that policy should be shaped in the best interests of the crime victim and that the victim's position, support and right to damages should be strengthened. That a person exploited in a sex purchase offence gets injured party status, with the right to damages and legal aid, is precisely such a strengthening. The plan also wants to increase damages and guarantee the right to compensation.
Original (Swedish)
Planens rättspolitiska utgångspunkt är att politiken ska utformas efter brottsoffrets bästa och att brottsoffrets ställning, stöd och rätt till skadestånd ska stärkas. Att den som utnyttjas i ett sexköpsbrott får målsägandestatus, med rätt till skadestånd och juridiskt biträde, är precis en sådan förstärkning. Planen vill dessutom höja skadestånden och garantera rätten till ersättning.
- strengthened victim statusdecisive»Stärka brottsoffrets ställning och öka stödet till brottsoffer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the victim's position and increase support for crime victims”
- guaranteed right to damages»Rätten till skadestånd måste garanteras« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right to damages must be guaranteed”
- victim before offender»Utformningen av politiken måste ske utifrån brottsoffrets bästa, inte gärningsmannen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Policy formulation must take place in the best interests of the crime victim, not the offender.”
- increased damages»Höja skadestånden« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase damages”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:JuU12)
- Committee report full text (HD01JuU12)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1076 — Förebyggande, upptäckt och förhindrande av våld i ungas relationer av Sofia Skönnbrink m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1135 — Fullgott skydd för barn och unga mot alla former av sexuella övergrepp och sexuell exploatering av Martina Johansson (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1235 — Upprättelse för barn som utsatts för sexualbrott av Ingela Nylund Watz m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1403 — Detektionsverktyg mot barnpornografi av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1419 — Barnahus i hela landet av Åsa Karlsson (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1420 — Mäns våld mot kvinnor av Åsa Karlsson och Björn Wiechel (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:1487 — Åtgärder för att stärka kampen mot terrorism och dess finansiering av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1500 — Stärkt medarbetarskydd av Eva Lindh m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1543 — Barnens rätt av Alireza Akhondi (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1557 — Stärkta åtgärder mot bedrägerier riktade mot äldre av Yusuf Aydin (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1628 — Stärk våldsutsatta kvinnors möjligheter att få upprättelse i domstol genom en statligt certifierad app för dokumentation av våld av Gustaf Lantz (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1783 — Legalisering av innehav och användning av pepparsprej av Jan Ericson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2059 — En nationell krisfunktion för personuppgiftsläckor som rör personer med skyddad identitet av Anders Ådahl (C)
- Motion 2025/26:22 — Brottsförebyggande rådet av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2281 — Brottsoffret i fokus av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2287 — Ökad kunskap om mäns våld mot kvinnor och sexualbrott av Linnéa Wickman m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2446 — System för brottsskadeersättningar av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:25 — Ny lag för att stävja hedersbrott mot svenskar av Josef Fransson (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:2571 — Omvandling av Brottsförebyggande rådet av Oliver Rosengren (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2606 — Åtgärder mot eftervåldet och statens medverkan av Helena Vilhelmsson (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament