German Policy on Prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation
In 1997 the Federal Government set up the Working Group (WG) on Trafficking in Women. In 2013 the WG changed its name to WG trafficking in persons, to reflect the broadened scope of its activities in the past years. Its composition accounts for the complexity of the problem which relates to various policy areas, addressees and levels within the Federal System (Federal, Laender and community level plus NGOs).
The tasks of the WG include exchanging information on the numerous activities in the Laender as well as in national and international bodies, analysing the problems in combating trafficking in persons, elaborating recommendations and campaigns to combat trafficking.
The WG ensures that the national strategy follows a balanced approach of prevention, prosecution of offenders and protection of victims. It has issued a Cooperation Concept for counselling services and the police concerning the protection of witnessing victims as well as brochures on victim compensation and on education and training. The combating of trafficking in women is furthermore part of the second Action Plan of the Federal Government to Combat Violence against Women that was agreed in September 2007 and has been fully implemented by 2013.
On march 6, 2013 the national telephone helpline “violence against women” -080000116016 - went operative. On a 24/7 basis toll free multilingual counselling for women affected by violence, including victims of trafficking is available.
Trafficking in children for the purpose of sexual exploitation is dealt with in the Plan of Action II of the Federal Government for the Protection of Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation, which was decreed in June 2011.This Action Plan has set up a multidisciplinary monitoring body which established a subworking group on the issue of trafficking in children.
The guideline for the Federal Governments actions in the area of prostitution of adults are the needs in the "Report of the Federal Government on the Effects on the Act on Prostitution". In this context the Federal Government aims at the highest attainable level of protection of prostitutes against violence and exploitation by broadening its law-making approach.
Contact details:
National organisations;
403@bmfsfj.bund.de.