Tuesday 2 June marks the 51st International Sex Workers' Day. It draws attention to the need to strengthen the rights of sex workers, publicise protection and assistance services and improve access to support and advice. The Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz emphasises this.
The majority of sex workers in Chemnitz work in the area of residential prostitution, some of whom have a migration background. They often only have limited language skills and are in precarious social or economic circumstances. On the other hand, there are also many people who are self-determined and independent in their work.
The ChemNetz working group was therefore founded in Chemnitz back in 2020. This is an association of local members from public and independent organisations that provide help and support services, exit assistance and advice for people in sex work in Chemnitz and are actively involved.
The members are
- Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz, Sexual Health Counselling Centre, Tel. 0371 488 5361, e-mail: beratung.prostitution(at)stadt-chemnitz.de
- KOBRAnet Specialist counselling centre for victims of human trafficking and victims of violence in the name of honour, Tel. 0341 3068 2929, e-mail: info(at)hillerschevilla.eu
- Daria Specialist counselling centre for sex work, Treberhilfe Dresden e.V., Tel: 0176 180 36 600, e-mail: daria(at)treberhilfe-dresden.de
- Equal Opportunities Officer of the City of Chemnitz, Tel. 0371 488 1380, e-mail: gleichstellungsstelle(at)stadt-chemnitz.de
The members of ChemNetz meet quarterly to exchange expertise, to network and to jointly develop support and prevention programmes. Current problems are discussed, events are planned and joint outreach work is carried out. In addition, external experts and guests are regularly invited to discuss specific topics in the areas of health, prevention, protection against violence, migration and social security. The close networking of the actors involved makes a significant contribution to better coordinating help and developing support services for sex workers in the city of Chemnitz in line with demand.
The work of the specialists is based on voluntariness, anonymity, protection of trust and respectful treatment of those affected. The aim is to reach people regardless of their life situation, to stabilise their health and social situation and to strengthen their rights and self-determination.
A central component of the support structure is outreach social work, where personal contact is made with sex workers. By specifically addressing them in their working environment, barriers can be broken down and access to further support services can be created. Building trust, providing information and offering and arranging concrete help are particularly important here. Telephone interpreters are called in if necessary. This allows questions and problems to be discussed quickly and clearly. The support includes health counselling, help with administrative matters, securing a livelihood, health insurance, housing issues, psychosocial stress, experiences of violence as well as advice on labour law and social security.
Outreach work enables low-threshold access to people who are difficult to reach through traditional counselling services or who are in unstable life situations.
Legal situation
Since 1 July 2017, people working in prostitution have been obliged to register their activity in accordance with the Prostitutes Protection Act. Health advice is initially provided at the sexual health advice centre. Afterwards - and expressly separate from the health counselling - direct registration for the activity takes place at the Legal and Regulatory Office.
Information on International Whores' Day
International Whores' Day, also known as World Whores' Day, is celebrated annually on 2 June. The day commemorates the occupation of the Saint-Nizier church in Lyon, France, in 1975, when sex workers protested against social marginalisation, repressive violence and a lack of social and legal protection.
More than five decades later, many sex workers are still confronted with structural disadvantages. These include social stigmatisation, difficult working conditions, economic insecurity, experiences of violence and discrimination as well as limited assistance with health and social care.
World Whore Day is a reminder that sex workers are part of society and are entitled to protection, dignity, healthcare and social participation. Reliable and long-term support structures, adequately funded counselling services and greater social awareness against stigmatisation and exclusion are therefore necessary. In particular, outreach work and close networking between the organisations involved remain indispensable components for effectively reaching people in sex work, offering support and ensuring protection.