Vice gangs cash in on Euro 2024 with £5 sex workers as prostitution is legal

11 December 2023 , 10:15

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Cathrin Schauer-Kelpin, of KARO

Vice bosses are hoping to cash in on the Euros by trafficking thousands of girls from abroad, including eastern Europe and Asia, to work during the tournament.

Prostitution is legal in Germany, where there are more than 3,000 brothels and an estimated 400,000 prostitutes. But the country’s liberal attitude to the trade is considered controversial and has been hit by criticism that it is controlled by organised gangs.

And Cathrin Schauer-Kelpin, of KARO, which campaigns against human trafficking, forced prostitution and sexual exploitation, warns some women there are selling themselves for as little as £5-a-time.

She said: “The system of prostitution and the fact that you can buy a woman, the commodity, is not a good system. It’s a system that violates human rights. Often we see women working for very little money, sometimes working in flats for five euros. The prices may go up during the Euros, but in the end, the women won’t benefit anyway if prices rise.”

She added: “The working hours are very long and the workload is very extreme. If you have to serve 10 to 15 clients throughout the day, the psychological strain is extreme.”

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Asked what she would say to any England fans thinking of buying sex during the Euros, she said: “Consider the fate of the women and think carefully about whether these women who provide sex in flats or clubs really want to sit, stand or lie there day and night to have sex with men.

“They should also ask themselves whether it is really the women’s self-determination and whether it is their will to live to do this. Even if the woman may not have a black eye and may not be beaten up, is it really their free will? Do any of these men want their own daughter to do this work, or their own girlfriend? What would they say if it was their own sister?”.

Maria Cetan, 21, originally from Romania, is more positive about men using services like hers during the tournament. She works alongside more than 30 other women at Das Bordell in Cologne, where England will take on Slovenia.

She said: “I’m excited for the tournament. English men are very nice and kind and it will be good for Cologne. I want as many English men as possible to come and see me. I’m a good girl. I wait here for them. I’m ready! Now business is not so good, but when the tournament starts it will be very busy.”

Maria, who charges €50 for around 20 minutes work, added: “I like Jack Grealish! He is very beautiful. Come on England and English men!”

Patrick Hill