My rights under the new ProstSchG

Are operators allowed to tell me how I have to work?

• No. The ProstSchG law says that operators of establishments may not order you around and may only give you limited instructions. Allow us to explain this in more detail:

• If you are self-employed, then operators are not allowed at all to tell you how to work. They are not even allowed to tell you when or where to work. This means operators have no right to give you instructions.

• If you are employed, then operators may only decide when and where you work. But they may not decide which sexual practices you offer, which clients you serve, what prices you ask for and what you have to wear. This is called ‘a limited right to issue instructions’.

• Operators may never tell you that you have to work without a condom. You have the right to protect yourself, no matter whether you are employed or self-employed:
  How do I know whether I am employed or self-employed?

What may I demand of operators?

• Anything you agree on with operators such as your room rental should be written down and signed. You can ask for a copy of that. And you can always refer to it should any dispute arise.

• Operators should not ask you to pay excessive rents. If you are unsure whether you are paying too much money for your room, then ask us at cara*SH.

• You can insist that there are condoms, lubricant gel and hygiene articles in the rooms where you work, but you may have to pay for them.

• If, for example, you work in a brothel, then you have the right to demand that its operators show you its operating concept. This concept has to describe the business, which includes things like how they ensure safety and hygiene.
  
  And if you participate in a prostitution event, then you should be allowed to inspect the event concept.

I don’t want my actual name to appear on my registration certificate. What can I do about that?

• You do have to give the registering authorities your correct name and show them your passport or ID card.
  
  But you do have the right to have an invented name shown in your registration certificate (you can also specify the gender).
  
  So you can call yourself Sabine Meier, Martin or Snow White in your registration certificate.
  
  But note: if you use the name of a famous personality, then that person may feel that their personal rights have been violated and may prosecute you. That’s why some names are not advisable as aliases.

I do not want my operators to know my correct name. Is that possible?

• Yes, it is. If you’re asked for your registration certificate, then simply produce your alias-certificate. Your actual name does not appear in it.

I want to go to an advice centre. May I do that during my working hours?

• Yes. You can utilise certain advisory services during your working time. This includes voluntary health and social advisory services.

• It also includes the mandatory health advisory session in Neumünster.

• Operators may not forbid you from doing that. The new law even says so.