In Lucerne, more and more sex workers are choosing to work from private apartments instead of brothels. This makes it harder for the police to keep track of what is happening and ensure safety.
A new report says that almost half of all sex workers in Switzerland now work from private apartments. Police in Lucerne are worried because they don’t always know where these workers are. Many advertise their services online and only give out their location after making contact. They also move often, making it difficult for police to check on them. The police say they need more time and resources to handle this issue.
Safety concerns and lack of control
A sex worker interviewed in the report says that the authorities no longer have control over the situation. Some women are forced to work in apartments where they are not allowed to leave. They may be pressured into staying and working against their will.
Some sex workers like the freedom of working from home, but there are risks. A group that supports sex workers in Switzerland says that while working in private apartments gives women more independence, it also means less protection.
A brothel owner in the report explains that brothels offer a safer environment because they have security features like emergency buttons and staff on-site to help if needed.
As more sex workers move to private apartments, police are struggling to find the right balance between keeping people safe and respecting their freedom to work independently.
The situation is very similar in Vienna
Vienna and many other Austrian cities are also suffering from illegal apartment prostitution. The situation escalated during the COVID pandemic when legal brothels had to suspend their operations. Many sex workers then chose to work illegally in order to earn some income.
After the coronavirus became a thing of the past, life returned to normal. Most brothels reopened; however, many had to close permanently due to the lockdowns. Despite this, there were still enough places for sex workers to resume their work.
Over time, it became clear that many sex workers did not return to legal brothels but instead continued working from illegal apartments. This can be due to various reasons—some prefer more independence, some want to earn more, and some are forced by pimps. Whatever the reason, these sex workers often do not hold legal permits and also miss regular medical check-ups.
Meanwhile, many brothels are struggling due to the reduced number of sex workers in their businesses and the competition from illegal prostitutes. By avoiding taxes and other associated fees, illegal sex workers can offer lower prices, attracting many customers. These men are choosing illegal services over legal businesses, making post-COVID recovery even more difficult for the brothels.