Open Letter to German Politicians: Adopt the Sex Work Act (SAG) – A Law for Equity, Respect and Rights in Sex Work
Dear Members of the Bundestag, Ministers, and Political Leaders,
We are writing to you with an urgent appeal:
Read and seriously consider the Sex Work Act (SAG)— a comprehensive legal proposal written by sex workers in Germany — when shaping the new law around sex work in Germany. It provides a clear, detailed, and practical framework to ensure justice, respect and human rights for those working in the sex industry.
This is not another abstract policy recommendation. It is a visionary, rights-based draft law developed through a democratic, participatory workshop process grounded in lived experience and collective expertise of sex workers and counselling centres that work in that field.
Why Now?
Germany stands at a crossroads. Over twenty years after the 2002 Prostitution Act, sex workers still face stigma, legal uncertainty, and institutional neglect. The partial criminalisation embedded in the 2017 Prostituiertenschutzgesetz (ProstSchG) has pushed many back into unsafe or informal conditions, rather than improving rights or safety.
Meanwhile, international momentum is growing toward full decriminalisation and labour recognition. The UN, WHO, UNAIDS, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch all affirm that decriminalisation is the most effective way to protect sex workers’ health, safety, and rights — and to combat exploitation and trafficking.
The SexArbeitsGesetz represents a new, evidence-based and human-rights-aligned path forward, based on the needs, critiques and demands of sex workers in Germany and internationally.
Why This Law Matters
It was written by those directly affected. Between November 2024 and April 2025, sex workers from a wide range of backgrounds (including migrants, trans and queer people, independent and collective workers, and those with varied legal statuses) came together in a series of workshops to co-develop this legislative proposal. Their expertise and lived experience are its foundation.
It includes all sex workers. The SAG applies to all forms of sex work — regardless of nationality, gender identity, work environment, or legal status. It actively seeks to end discrimination and marginalization, and promotes inclusion, political participation, and collective organisation.
It offers concrete, actionable solutions. The SAG goes beyond vague ideals. It proposes clear legal protections, labor rights, access to healthcare and social services, legal aid, and protections from violence, exploitation and stigma. Many of the recommendations of the evaluation report by Kriminologisches Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen (KFN) are reflected in the SAG.
It benefits society as a whole. A legal framework rooted in rights and respect creates safer, healthier and more transparent working conditions. It reduces the reliance on exploitative informal economies and enables public health and social services to reach those who need them most. The approach of the SAG takes into consideration the needs of both society and sex workers for a respectful co-existence and is directing resources to where they are needed the most.
The "Swedish Model": A Harmful Approach
The so-called “Swedish Model” criminalises the purchase of sex. It has been implemented in Sweden, Norway, France and elsewhere with the claim of ending trafficking and reducing demand.
Why Human Rights Organisations Oppose It:
There is no evidence the model reduces trafficking, despite its supporters’ claims (Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, 2020).
Amnesty International: “Criminalising buyers pushes sex work underground, exposes workers to more violence, and prevents access to justice.” (Amnesty, 2016 Global Policy)
European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR): In cases from France and Sweden, it found that sex workers faced increased state surveillance and violence.
What Sex Workers Say:
In France, 63% of sex workers experienced increased police harassment after the Swedish Model was implemented (Le Bail & Giametta, 2018).
In the Republic of Ireland, violent crimes against sex workers increased by 92% within only two years after the Swedish Model was introduced (Amnesty International, "We live within a violent system" - structural violence against sex workers in Ireland, 2022, p. 21)
Sex workers report taking greater risks (e.g. avoiding client screening) to evade police presence.
Belgium: A Positive Example of Labour Rights
In a legal breakthrough in 2022, Belgium became the first European country to fully decriminalise sex work and recognize it as labour.
Key changes included:
Repeal of criminal laws against sex work and third parties (like landlords, drivers, receptionists and family members)
Access to labour rights: unemployment insurance, pension contributions, parental leave, contracts and occupational safety protections
Recognition of sex work as a legitimate profession, subject to labour laws — not criminal law
Grants sex workers fundamental rights, including the ability to refuse clients, choose their practices, and stop an act at any time.
Why Decriminalisation Is The Path Forward
It improves sex workers' safety. Sex workers can report crimes against them without fear of self-incrimination.
It improves health outcomes: A 2015 Lancet study projected that decriminalisation of sex work could reduce new HIV infections among sex workers by up to 46% over ten years.
It helps distinguish between consensual sex work and exploitation or trafficking, allowing law enforcement to focus on actual crimes and support organisations to focus on individual need-based approaches.
Our Call to Action
We urge you to:
Read the Sex Work Act (SAG) in full and consider its proposals seriously.
Initiate legislation that reflects the SAG’s key protections — adapted where necessary for compatibility with German law, but true to its spirit.
Commit to a democratic process that centres the voices of sex workers, especially those most marginalised.
Engage directly with sex workers and rights organisations to understand its intent, scope, and practical value and include them in decision making processes.
This Is a Test of Political Courage and Human Rights
Sex workers are not invisible. We are neighbours, colleagues, parents, students, migrants and community members. We deserve the same rights, dignity and protections as anyone else in Germany.
At a time when Germany’s leadership on human rights and equality is being closely watched — both in Europe and globally — how you respond to this proposal will send a powerful signal of your commitment to justice, democracy, and inclusion.
How you respond to this proposal will be a powerful indicator of Germany's commitment to equity, justice and democratic inclusion.
We ask you:
Read the SexArbeitsGesetz! Make it become reality! Be bold! Germany can set a historic precedent by transforming a visionary, worker-led proposal into lasting legal protection and respect for all.
To sign the open letter, please email us at ourwork.ourrights.ourlaw@proton.me