Experts report: – Mass violence against sex workers is rare

In total, 7,000 to 8,000 people work as sex workers throughout Austria. In recent years, about two-thirds of them have come from the EU countries Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. Other women come from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria. Asian women like in Vienna are rare.

Prostitution often hidden
Before the outbreak of the corona pandemic, there were approximately 800 bars nationwide that offered sexual services. According to the director, about 5,000 to 6,000 people work there. “A larger part has disappeared into hidden apartment prostitution,” it is said. Since the pandemic, more and more sex workers have been offering their services illegally in hotels and private apartments, reducing the number of establishments. They would be faced with the problem of finding sex workers in the first place.

What safety regulations there are
In the legal field, the police regularly checks the locations and preventive advice is also given about safety. Regulations include emergency switches, escape routes and the presence of operators or their representatives. When it comes to sex work in clubs or studios, Volkshilfe Wien’s advice center ‘Sophie’ also recommends installing cameras at the entrance, a bouncer, an alarm button on the door and bed and an emergency exit that can be opened from the entrance . inside.

If a company does not have a permit at all, there is a risk that administrative action will be taken. In Vienna and Burgenland there is a registration requirement for sex work; street prostitution is only allowed in Vienna – with local restrictions.