Our logo p.ink door describes the idea of how our clients can use the “ink” of a new life to write the next chapter of their “personal” story. And by doing so, opening up doors leading to new paths in life.

The characteristics of the offense of forced prostitution, according to Section 232a of the Penal Code, are defined as follows:
Whosoever prompts any other person by utilising this person’s personal or economic predicament or helplessness arising from being in a foreign country, or any person under twenty-one years of age to engage in any of the subsequent points shall be liable to imprisonment from six months to ten years.

Taking up, or carrying on engaging in, prostitution or
Engaging in sexual activities
through which this person is exploited with or in the presence of the offender or a third person, or tolerating to be subjected to sexual activities by the offender or a third person (§232a: StGB).

According to Brüker, prostitution is a form of sexual intercourse performed for profit, in which a person temporarily makes their body available to other persons for their sexual satisfaction for payment (ibid. 2011: p. 18).

The term sex work came about through the movement of the “sex workers” in the 1970s in order to specifically identify sexual service as work and to linguistically produce the desired recognition and acceptance of sex work (Brüker 2011: p. 19).

While there is an ongoing discourse on the above terminologies in Germany, the official term of legal sex work is institutionally defined as prostitution. Even the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) employs the term "prostitution" in their provided information.


Prostitution has existed in Germany since the introduction of the Prostitution Act in 2002, and therefore no longer considered immoral. The Prostitute Protection Act, which came into force on July 1, 2017, has further specified the rights of individuals working in prostitution, among other things, by requiring them to be legally registered (BMFSFJ 2023).
A clear distinction is legally made here between prostitution and forced prostitution, as indicated in Section 232a StGB since 2011, carrying legal ramifications and prosecution.

In accordance with professional social work, we focus on person-centred and life-world-oriented work and understand each person as an individual expert of their history and situation.

No.

We as an association that fights against sexual exploitation through social work, but want to raise awareness through social media or presentations.

We primarily establish contact through our website, social media platforms, Online Streetwork or recommendations from acquaintances and friends.
Another approach is through the cooperation with various organizations in Berlin and throughout Germany (street work, other advice or referral centers, clinics and psychiatric institutions, Germany-wide shelter network).
We make individual meetings possible regardless of location.

Currently, yes.

If necessary, we advise their relatives, friends, and acquaintances. However, we cooperate and support other organizations that work with those affected by
labor and sexual exploitation, including children, men, and transgender.

No.

We provide clients with various options through counseling and respect their needs and wishes. Advice on exiting forced prostitution or professional reorientation out of prostitution can be part of the consultation.

Unfortunately there are currently limited available statistics.

This shows the urgent need for current research on individuals either working in or coming out of prostitution or sexual exploitation. For example, the often quoted estimate of around 400,000 prostitutes in Germany has actually not been scientifically proven.

We have a comprehensive anonymity policy that includes employees and clients. The reasons for this policy are as follows:

For clients:
1) We want to guarantee our clients the highest possible security.
2) Clients' stories are not our stories and should not be shared for
purposes such as fundraising, etc.
3) We protect the identity of clients and respect their privacy. They decide with whom their stories are shared with.
4) Some of those affected are still at risk. We take the
risk assessment of every woman very seriously. Safe places are very important for acutely affected people.

For employees:
1) The safety of our employees is our top priority.
2) We want to protect the identity of individual employees.
3) We do not put individual employees above others.

Pink Door has several levels of accountability:
Verification of the non-profit status by the tax office of the corporations every 3 years, as well comprehensive annual internal audits, with financial and
factual reports distributed to the sponsors (annually), the board (monthly), and the
voting members (annually).

We finance ourselves through grants and private donations.

Success at work is individual and subjective, and therefore difficult to measure. Successes are always to be attributed to the individual client's hard inner work, never to other colleagues.

Get informed! Research for literature, survivor stories, and scientific sources.
Get involved! Support initiatives and organisations in your area, or get involved politically.
Don't turn a blind eye to sexualised violence and structural sexism.
Speak your mind! No means no!

Yes!

If you need a seminar on this topic, please contact us at mail@pinkdoorberlin.org.