Selling sex is a job

Campaigns against prostitution as well for unequal treatment. A German journalist interviewed Stephanie Klee.

The Federal Association for Sexual Services’ chairwoman, Stephanie Klee, explains what the organization stands for and who it supports. She highlights that the organization acts as a countrywide point of contact for the prostitute industry and helps with the approval of prostitution locations.

Furthermore, the organization helps brothel owners and sex workers with all areas of administration and professionalization, and it is accessible to everyone seeking to learn about the various aspects of prostitution in a true, genuine, and impartial manner. A collaboration with other business organisations started and they have created their own petition, “Abolition of Criminal Code Section 232A Paragraph 6 – No Punishment for Clients!”

Last year, the day before the summer break at 1:15 a.m., the German federal parliament decided to modify the paragraph, without first going through a committee, contacting experts, or addressing it within the legislative.

Clients who “unsafely” assist in sexual slavery, victims of human trafficking or sex workers in need are now being charged, according to Stephanie Klee.

The customer will never be aware of the fact that the women that he is paying to have sex with, is actually there forced by a pimp, this will never be disclosed to a stranger.

This law is just symbolic. Klee thinks it’s also about taking a step toward outlawing prostitution.

Stephanie Klee was asked by the journalist if the Swedish model is also a good option for Germany, where buying sex is illegal and clients are punished. Klee is against punishing customers who haven’t done anything illegal, as well as sex workers’ isolation and prejudice.

Women are unable to work in brothels, where they can find quiet, protection, and hygiene, as well as social connection with their co-workers, because prostitution is illegal in Sweden and customers are criminalized. She also mentions article 12, which indicates that a woman has the same right to practice this profession as anybody else in the work field. They will lose their source of money if prostitution is prohibited.

Stephanie Klee agreed when a German journalist questioned if sex work should be called paid labour. This should be considered as a profession, as it is a regular job.

According to Klee, this work is unlike any other since it is stigmatized and subject to legal discrimination. As this profession is not one that you can follow “by the book”, there are no trainings or professional ethics in this field.

Women must learn new skills while also becoming more conscious of their rights. However, this is far from a regular employment, as the government still has a long path to go in securing equal rights for men and women.

The head of the Federal Association for Sexual Services was asked about the discrimination that sex workers are facing.  In her opinion, one of the main reasons is the morality of sex-buying opponents.

According to Stephanie Klee, the majority of them live on their own rules, thinking that their definition of monogamy and family is correct and rejecting any other way of living. However, there are numerous ways to express yourself when it comes to sexuality and each individual should be allowed to do so.