Forced prostitution

The image of voluntary, self-sufficient sex workers is widely distributed in Germany, yet only applies to a very small proportion of people. The majority of women in the red-light district work under forced conditions and are sexually exploited.

German girls are often forced into prostitution via the loverboy method. The loverboy method involves seducing the victim over a longer period of time in order to form an emotional attachment with their pimp. This person then deceives and manipulates them into prostitution work and exploitation.

Young women from Eastern Europe and Africa on the other hand often have no prospects in their home country. Human traffickers take advantage of this to lure them to Western Europe under false pretences. Some are promised a career in modelling; others are promised work in the catering industry or other sectors. Others believe that they can work independently as a prostitute in Western Europe and earn lots of money. During their travels, their passport is taken from them and they are threatened, beaten and raped.

Upon arrival in their destination country, they are forced to work in brothels, rent-by-the-hour places or on the streets, and are repeatedly sold like goods. They are told that they must now repay the expensive travel costs. The constant change of location makes it impossible to form solid relationships. The women are uprooted, helpless and can barely communicate. They have no papers and are therefore considered illegal immigrants. They rarely go to the police for fear of deportation. The pimps seriously threaten them and their families. 

The mental and physical consequences of continuous rape, violence and even torture are immense. Many women, girls and boys are severely traumatised.

One of the main problems in the fight against forced prostitution is that victims are unwilling to come forward as they are extremely intimidated. It is therefore necessary to support and back them to obtain clear witness statements.