Berlin’s new commission tackles sex work reform—but without worker voices
A new expert commission has been set up in Berlin to reform protections for sex workers. The group, launched on 24 November 2025, will review the Prostitution Protection Act and propose changes. Its chair, Professor Tillmann Bartsch, is a jurist and criminologist with a 12-member team behind him.
The commission’s main goals include cutting stigma, training authorities, and offering better counselling and health support. However, critics point out that no sex workers sit on the panel. Misbah Khan, a Green Party deputy, has spoken against this omission, arguing that those directly affected must have a voice.
Khan also warned against banning sex work outright. She argued that prohibition would push the industry underground, leaving workers without legal safeguards. Instead, she called for stronger action against forced prostitution and human trafficking—with input from sex workers themselves.
The group’s work follows growing calls for reform. But with no representatives from the profession, questions remain about how well the proposals will reflect real-world needs.
The commission will now examine ways to strengthen protections under the current law. Its recommendations could reshape how authorities handle sex work in Germany. The absence of worker representation, however, may limit the reforms’ effectiveness.
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