Campaign "For a new prostitution policy of the DIE LINKE" (2020)
By Manu Shon
[DIE LINKE is a German left party]
This campaign was adopted by the network „LINKE for a world without prostitution“ in April 2020 and started in June as a collection of signatures. Please consider signing it as well!
Germany has become the brothel of Europe. While neighbouring countries are working to curb prostitution and human trafficking, the possibilities for the profiteers are boundless. Brothel operators, pimps and human traffickers profit the lion's share of the profits.
The hopes of a "clean" prostitution with jobs subject to social security contributions and unionised prostitutes, a claim the neo-liberal prostitution reform of 2002 was platformed for, have finally evaporated. Prostitution is and remains an institution of brutal exploitation.
For ages, the patriarchal rule has included men's control over women's bodies. Prostitution is a kind of last bastion. Only in brothels can men still claim a one-sided "right to sex" with impunity and arbitrarily dispose of women's bodies. The institution of prostitution is incompatible with human dignity (GG Art. 1).
We, members, functionaries and sections of the LIE LINKE, consider prostitution to be an expression of patriarchal structures of violence and domination, which we want to overcome. We want to live in a world without prostitution!
In the preamble to the programme of the LIE LINKE, it reads: "We hold fast to the human dream that a better world is possible. (...) We fight for a society in which no child has to grow up in poverty, in which all people can live in peace self-determinedly, dignity and social security and in which social conditions can be shaped democratically." There can be no prostitution in tune with a democratic socialism.
"Most of our member parties in the European Left are inspired by the Nordic model. I welcome the fact that the discussion about it is now also gaining momentum in Germany."
Heinz Bierbaum, President of the European Left (EL) and one of the initial signatories of the appeal.
DIE LINKE needs a prostitution policy that is appropriate to its striving for equal rights for women, sexual self-determination and social justice. We therefore demand that DIE LINKE unambiguously fights for the abolition of prostitution as a central goal!
It is necessary to protect and individually support the prostituted, on the other hand to restrict the prostitution market and reduce the profit opportunities. It is important to combine the accepting approach towards the prostituted in combination with a critical attitude towards the institution of prostitution as such.
Demands of the DIE LINKE towards the legislator must be:
No criminalisation and exploitation of prostituted women (and others): No fines, no coercive measures against prostituted persons. Municipal sex taxes must be abolished.
Prohibition of brothels and pimping: Any profit from prostitution of others must be criminalized. Human trafficking must be punished consistently.
Ban on the buying of sex according to the Swedish example: clients use sexualised violence. On the other hand, fines and, in case of recurrence, prison sentences are to be introduced.
Better offers of assistance and exit opportunities:
Free and voluntary health and legal advice from health authorities and, on request, free medical examinations, even without a passport or health insurance
Affordable health insurance rates (without surcharge for prostituted)
Support for (re-)entering the labour market (further education/replacement of school leaving certificates/training certificates or other individually tailored offers)
Provision of protective housing and, if necessary, opening of women's shelters to the affected group of people
Ensuring access to trauma psychological services and language courses
Long-term residence perspective for all persons concerned regardless of their willingness to testify in court proceedings; no deportations
Training of public employees: All those professions involved in prostitution (e.g. police, health authorities, tax office) need training on the living conditions of people in prostitution, trafficking and trauma. Local authorities need trained language mediators. Employees who come into contact with victims should have social skills to prevent the harassment of prostituted women (and others).
Public information and awareness rising campaigns and education in schools: Education about the causes and consequences of prostitution must be provided in order to reduce the demand for prostitution.
We call on the party organisations and elected representatives in local parliaments, regional and federal parliamentary groups to finally take the cross-party recommendation of the European Parliament and the recommendation of the Council of Europe in favour of the so-called Nordic model seriously and incorporate it into their programmes.
We ask all members who share this view to sign the appeal and organise information events in their local and district associations with the aim of applying for support for this appeal.
Decided at the digital network meeting of the network DIE LINKE for a world without prostitution on 25 April 2020
Is this collection of signatures only for members of the DIE LINKE?
No, all who support the statements of the appeal and wish for a prostitution critical LINKE are welcome!
Sign here: https://linke-gegen-prostitution.de/
Campaign: For a new prostitution policy of the party DIE LINKE
Press release
DIE LINKE for a world without prostitution
Sixty members and functionaries of the party DIE LINKE, as the initial signatories, today published an appeal for a prostitution law based on the Nordic model. The law provides for the decriminalisation of prostitutes and for comprehensive offers of help and ways out. Sex buying and profit through the prostitution of others, for example through brothels, will be punished.
In several European countries, including Sweden, Norway and France, corresponding laws have already been introduced. As Heinz Bierbaum, one of the initial signatories of the appeal and President of the European Left (EL), notes, "most of our member parties in the EL are inspired by the Nordic model". He welcomed the fact that the discussion on this issue is now also gaining momentum in Germany.
"DIE LINKE needs a prostitution policy that is appropriate to the pursuit of equality, sexual self-determination and social justice. Supporting prostitution is not compatible with left-wing values," said Sylvia Gabelmann, MdB for DIE LINKE. In essence, she said, it is "about the question of whether we want to live in a society in which people are allowed to abuse others and use violence in exchange for money or not.“
Activist Franziska Klotz also sees "prostitution as an expression of patriarchal structures of violence and domination which we want to overcome". In fact, "it is primarily women who are supposed to be used to get rid of almost exclusively male instincts". "A party that has taken up the fight against sexism must fight against reducing women to a sexual utility," Klotz said.
The network LINKE for a world without prostitution had already been founded in 2015. With their updated campaign the activists want to do more than just to educate. Their demands are based on a comprehensive concept. The sociologist and co-author of the book "Myth of Sex Work" (PapyRossa publishing house), Manuela Schon, for example, names "a long-term perspective of residence and ensuring the access to trauma-psychological offers and language courses as important points of the 5-pillar model". Also further training courses are intended to inform and sensitise the police and health authorities about the living conditions of people in prostitution.
The complete appeal is available on the network's website (www.linke-gegen-prostitution.de). Party members and friends are invited to support the demands with their signatures.