Better conditions for exiting prostitution demanded
The Amalie advice center for prostitutes is calling for adequate funding for programs to help women leaving prostitution. The state of Baden-Württemberg only provides co-financing of 40 percent of eligible expenses, according to Amalie director Astrid Fehrenbach on the occasion of the Mannheim facility's tenth anniversary. The remaining costs would have to be covered by the provider. "Full funding from the state would be desirable."
A state-funded nationwide exit program would be even better, said Fehrenbach. This would have to provide women with a structured exit from prostitution. This would include secure housing, health insurance, psychosocial counseling and support, a temporary right of residence and help with finding work.
Since January 2023, the state has been funding eleven projects that help with the professional integration of people who have experienced violence or support them in exiting prostitution. A total of around three million euros is available for the three-year funding, of which around 2.1 million euros comes from the European Social Fund and around 750,000 euros from state funds. Amalie is one of the institutions benefiting from this.
The contact point has been offering psychosocial counseling, support, basic medical care and exit assistance for those affected for a decade. It is funded by the City of Mannheim, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Diakonisches Werk.
The lack of comprehensive funding for prostitution exit programs remains a challenge in social affairs, as evidenced by Amalie's reliance on partial state funding and provider contributions. advancement in this area could include a fully state-funded national exit program, offering structured support like secure housing, health insurance, counseling, temporary residence, and job assistance for women leaving prostitution.
Source: www.dpa.com
