1. Support Instead of Punishment

Many people who engage in sex work in Germany are illegalized by various laws (for example, undocumented mirgrants through the right of residence). Although prostitution is basically legal in Germany, many people work illegally – for example in the context of restricted areas or if they are not registered in accordance with the Prostitutes Protection Act (ProstSchG). No matter by which law it arises – criminalization harms sex workers.

Because the greater the fear of punishment, the greater the need to work in secret and live „undercover”. However, isolation creates psychological stress, makes sex workers more susceptible to violence and exploitation and prevents them from accessing health services. Isolated sex workers are not reached by services – neither by HIV/STI prevention measures or support services in the problem areas of violence, exploitation and human trafficking. The first necessary condition for improving the situation in sex work is therefore to support rather than punish.

Restricted area regulations should be abolished in all federal states. The cities of Berlin and Rostock are leading the way. In places where restricted areas remain in place, the penalties should be as low as possible and violations should only be punished as administrative offenses.