German "Sex Work" Org Targets Ukrainian Refugee Women

[ScreamingMeMe]

I think the fact this is a trans organisation is incidental, so I didn't put it in my title. But boy is this inappropriate.

German Trans "Sex Work" Org Targets Ukrainian Refugee Women

www.reduxx.org/post/german-trans-sex-work-org-targets-ukrainian-refugee-women

A "sex work" advocacy organization is utilizing social media to solicit Ukrainian refugee women for information on entering the legal German sex trade.

Berlin-based Trans*Sexworks, which describes itself as “a peer-to-peer support structure and network for and made up of trans and non-binary sexworkers," has posted advertisements for counselling services targeting Ukrainian women who "need support/info on how to begin sex work in Germany."

“We are now offering peer-counceling (sic) and support in Ukrainian, Russian and English for all sex-workers fleeing the war in Ukraine,” reads one post shared to their Instagram. “This offer is open to all sex workers regardless [of] gender identity (since we do not see any other offer for cisgender sex-workers) arriving in Berlin.”

continued on the link page, I won't c&p it all

What were they thinking? These are vulnerable women forced away from their home who are already being leched over and approached by dodgy men.

How is targetting vulnerable refugees anything other than sex trafficking? Its illegal in Germany.
ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/eu-countries/germany_en

www.instagram.com/transsexworks/

"Trans Sexworks
Is a peer to peer support structure and network for and made up of trans and non-binary sexworkers based in Berlin, Germany."

Looks like a service made up of sexworkers (ie people who sell sexual services, or "prostitutes") to help other sexworkers with a focus on trans-workers.

Looking at their posts they offer services such as peer-support for sex workers from another sexworker, some info on STDs and vaccinations, info on sexworker and/or trans support events etc.

I don't see any evidence they engage in or condone trafficking.

Section 232 Human trafficking
(1) Whoever recruits, transports, transfers, harbours or receives another person by taking advantage of that person’s personal or financial predicament or helplessness on account of being in a foreign country, or that person is under 21 years of age, incurs a penalty of imprisonment for a term of between six months and five years...
www.gesetze-im-internet.de/englisch_stgb/englisch_stgb.html#p2065

Why not direct them to other support services instead?

Vile ,nasty b*stards

Bloody hell.

They're offering peer-services for sex workers arriving in Berlin from other sex workers, and you're accusing them of trafficking?

Can't remember who said it, but "When a woman is hungry, the thing to put in her mouth is food, not your penis".

Oh hai Marg @MargaritaPie — how surprising to see you on a thread about sex work, defending how great it is to encourage vulnerable refugee women into prostitution. You really are the gift that keeps on giving!

I usually find Margarita quite amusing. Not in this instance. Outrageously lacking in empathy, ethics or any of the good stuff, really.

If they're so concerned and supportive, why aren't they just offering to pay for food or accommodation, no strings attached? Let those poor bloody women find their feet instead of putting them on their backs, for God's sake.

posted advertisements for counselling services targeting Ukrainian women who "need support/info on how to begin sex work in Germany."

Not out of sex work if they want, not with sex work if they need it and are already engaging, 'how to begin'.

That's why it's a problem. I work with peer organisations regularly. Mostly on housing because that's my field but also education etc. You can offer housing, information, safe sex and other supplies, food, counselling, anything. And maybe they do. But what you don't offer is advice on how to start sex work. Harm reduction is great. You don't do that by increasing harm.

Not surprised

@MargaritaPie

What is the connection between TRAs and the promotion of prostitution? It is not something I would ever have assumed but the evidence is undeniable.

Really, @MargaritaPie?

You think that women who have lost their homes, who are fleeing war, who have been separated from their husbands or partners, who may have had family members killed, who are penniless, terrified and exhausted...

You think that prostitution is an acceptable solution their problems? You think that any woman in their situation is in a position to weigh up the pros and cons and give free consent to something like this?

I find such a view absolutely abhorrent.

This ad on the surface seems to be aimed at women, who currently are ‘sex workers’. But is it really?

Even if some women were prostitutes in Ukraine, going to Germany can and should offer them an escape from their former life. Not recreate the same life there.

Are some refugee women arriving in Germany on seeing this ad thinking, is this what I am going to be pushed to do to survive? Cos it’s legal over here.

None of the surprises me, it sickens me but it doesn't surprise me. As pp have said if someone is starving they need food in their mouth not a cock.

Preying on desperate women and children of course (need to cater to all tastes) is a weapon of war, and its not just the enemy who use it.

@MargaritaPie

They're offering peer-services for sex workers arriving in Berlin from other sex workers, and you're accusing them of trafficking?

read the definition: Section 232 Human trafficking (1) Whoever recruits, transports, transfers, harbours or receives another person by taking advantage of that person’s personal or financial predicament or helplessness on account of being in a foreign country, or that person is under 21 years of age, incurs a penalty of imprisonment for a term of between six months and five years...

[quote Coyoacan]@MargaritaPie

What is the connection between TRAs and the promotion of prostitution? It is not something I would ever have assumed but the evidence is undeniable.[/quote]
Deeply held misogyny....

Sorry, TheWeeDonkey, I obviously didn't underline the sarcasm enough (concerned about where I am with deletions, actually!). To make it absolutely clear, that's amused as in revolted...

www.instagram.com/transsexworks/

I've had a look at their other posts and I'm not seeing it as a "recruiting" org. It looks more like a support and peer service for those who are already sexworkers or who are going to go into sexwork anyway and who may benefit from talking to someone else who is a sexworker and find out what help/resources is available for them.

From a quick Google search 10 million are estimated to have been displaced. That number will certainly include many sexworkers.

I also disagree that support/peer-counselling/info services are "promoting" sexwork. This is a service that could potentially help sexworkers and it's being vilified as "promoting trafficking".

Oh I see, it’s “sexwork” all one word now? To make it sound new and exciting or something?

I think it’s pretty vile actually for this “org” to be targeting vulnerable women. Ukraine is a pretty socially conservative country, pretty poor compared to Western European countries, largely Orthodox, and many if not most of the women fleeing have young children and trauma because of the war, and family left behind in Ukraine. I don’t think many are going to be indulging in the narcissistic Western idea of identifying as “non-binary” or trans and for the small number that might, perhaps some actual financial and social support might be required rather than enabling access to prostitution. Why isn’t this peer network fundraising for trans and nonbinary individuals freeing Ukraine to access safe housing and enough funds not to have to prostitute themselves? Because it’s all about legitimating the misogynist pro “sexwork” () narrative rather than actual help.

It’s disgusting, really, and there’s no other word for it but immoral. It’s immoral. Deeply immoral. And you too, @MargaritaPie.

@CompleteGinasaur

Sorry, TheWeeDonkey, I obviously didn't underline the sarcasm enough (concerned about where I am with deletions, actually!). To make it absolutely clear, that's amused as in revolted...

To be fair it was still early for me haha

Well I guess sex work covers many roles from, groomed children to the groomers at the school gates and pimps so I can kind of see where Margarita is coming from

@EdgeOfACoin

Really, *@MargaritaPie*?

You think that women who have lost their homes, who are fleeing war, who have been separated from their husbands or partners, who may have had family members killed, who are penniless, terrified and exhausted...

You think that prostitution is an acceptable solution their problems? You think that any woman in their situation is in a position to weigh up the pros and cons and give free consent to something like this?

I find such a view absolutely abhorrent.

Absolutely this.

I’m not the least surprised that that poster is all for it, as the self evident risk of exploitation and degradation of vulnerable women is a matter of no import to them - it’s all fun sexy sex work, freely chosen by happy, well adjusted women who are delighted to be doing it.