The 2017 German Prostitute Protection Act: an analysis of its potential consequences

Prostitution has always been deeply intertwined with the State, albeit in very different ways. Literature on prostitution policies is still scarce and controversial. Prostitution is one of the most contentious policy areas and there is a demand for sharing best practices of governance across countries. Since 2002, Germany has been one of the few countries in Europe with a liberal law on prostitution. In 2017, a new law – Prostitutes Protection Act – came into force. By analyzing parliamentary works and writings of German expert organisations, we highlight the potential consequences of this law’s implementation on the people concerned. The Prostitute Protection Act moves in the opposite direction to the protection of people who are in prostitution. Furthermore, the analysis clearly shows how establishing obligations and restrictions can easily become a form of control, stigmatisation and discrimination.