Statement of the BesD, the Professional Association for Erotic and Sexual Service Providers in Germany (Bundesverband erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen e.V.) on the sex purchase prohibition proposal in Germany:
The punishment of clients endangers the safety of thousands of sex workers
There has been a serious discussion within the German Government to adopt the Swedish Model that criminalises the purchase of sex. In order to challenge this policy, sex workers’ and allies’ organisations are planning events and position papers, which we urge all sex worker led groups and allies to share and support.
Today, The German Sex Worker Led Group BesD (the Professional Association for Erotic and Sexual Service Providers in Germany) released a statement in preparation for the upcoming debates in Germany on engaging with the Swedish criminalisation model, whereby the purchase of sex is criminalised. The following evidence is presented in the statement, which TAMPEP wholeheartedly supports;
– The Swedish model is a breeding ground for crime and exploitation
– Organizations that work against human trafficking and in support of victims of labour exploitation of migrant persons warn against the Swedish model, despite its purported aims of reducing human trafficking
– Anti-prostitution laws endanger all sex workers, particularly migrant sex workers
– The most sensible instrument against sexual exploitation and human trafficking is not restrictive legislation, but the decriminalisation of all aspects of consensual sex work and the strengthening of the rights and protection of sex workers
Please note, this statement is in German: