Rostock (dpa/mv) - In Rostock, as part of a nationwide model project, there is an advice center for prostitutes who want to take a different career path. The corona pandemic has increased sex workers' interest in professional reorientation, said Sandra Kamitz from the "make strong" initiative in Rostock on Thursday at the official opening of the counseling center. This is a consequence of the long-lasting contact bans for sex workers during the pandemic.
In Rostock, interested sex workers can now be offered a low-threshold counseling service. The employees of the project "BOSS" (professional orientation - self-determined and self-confident) are also on the road nationwide and proactively clarified where sex workers are active.
According to estimates, there are around 200 sex workers across the country who work weekly in the so-called model apartments. However, it can be assumed that a very high number of people are working in the trade without being registered, said Kamitz. The problem is that sex work is still stigmatized and taboo.
As Kamitz said, there is no standardized procedure for advice and subsequent support - the requirements are too different. It must also be considered that professional reorientation is a very long-lasting process.
