The Swedish government has pledged to take action against the online sale of childlike sex dolls, following reports of such commerce in the country. Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall expressed outrage, stating that as a mother, seeing images of these dolls is heartbreaking.
Speaking after a government-convened meeting with child protection groups, online vendors, and agencies, Waltersson Grönvall said the government aims to ensure these products can no longer be sold or bought. She warned that further legislation may be considered if current measures prove insufficient.
The meeting was called in response to several notable cases of e-commerce companies selling childlike sex dolls. Online platforms described steps they are taking to remove such products, but the minister indicated the government will monitor the situation closely.
The issue gained public attention after child protection group ChildX filed a police report against Amazon and other platforms earlier this month. The group stated that the dolls, often dressed in school uniforms and marketed sexually, may violate Swedish laws prohibiting sexualised portrayals of children.
ChildX Secretary General Ida Östensson said the police complaint led to the removal of listings on Amazon. She condemned the products for normalising child sexual abuse, emphasising that children should not be commodified for sexual purposes.
Amazon declined to comment beyond stating it attended the meeting and removed flagged products. SHEIN, another vendor, expressed commitment to consumer protection and outlined enhanced compliance measures. France has also taken steps against SHEIN over similar concerns.
