Counselling
The dedicated SMART Berlin team offers individual counselling on various topics related to sex work. Through further training, exchange and openness, we are constantly educating ourselves and expanding our counselling services. If required, we can refer you to the necessary resources or agencies.
Our consultations are free, anonymous, non-judgmental and geared towards your individual needs. The aim of our services is for you to be better informed, safer and more self-determined in your work and to gain access to the resources you need. If you want to reorient yourself or get out of sex work, we will also advise you. We want to create a trusting environment in which sex workers can receive support and answers to their questions.
You can get advice from us:
- online via email at contact@smart-berlin.org or here in the online chat
- by telephone on (+49 30) 609 62 202
- in person at our contact point at Schöneweider Str. 24, 12055 Berlin
Our office hours are Tuesday 11:00 – 14:00 and Thursday 13:00 – 16:00.
You can also arrange a consultation appointment with us.
Sex Work
We understand sex work as any form of erotic or sexual services and performances in exchange for money or goods. A wide variety of people with a wide variety of motivations are involved in such a business – both as sex workers and as customers. As always, our advice is non-judgmental and geared towards the individual needs of those seeking advice.
In our counselling services, we deal with topics such as:
- Entry, exit, professionalisation in sex work
- Safety at work
- Advertising and marketing
- Dealing with clients and customers
- Cooperation with other colleagues or potential clients (e.g. film studios) or workplaces (e.g. massage parlours)
- Financial management
…any other individual needs and questions
Laws
Sex work is legal and regulated in Germany. However, there are various legal requirements, conditions and hurdles depending on your field of work or residence status. Important: we advise all people in our target groups, regardless of whether you are registered or not and whether you are working legally or illegally.
We provide advice on statutory and legal issues, such as:
- Prostitutes Protection Act (ProstSchG) and the obligation to register
- Your rights as a sex worker
- Social, labour, migration and criminal law
- Taxes
…your individual needs and questions.
We are not lawyers or tax advisors. However, if you have more in-depth questions, we can refer you on. Our sibling project Subway has a monthly legal consultation with a lawyer every first Thursday from 2 to 4 pm. For registering, please write Subway an email or call them. Our consultations are confidential and we will not pass on any of your information without your consent.
Health
At SMART Berlin, we consider health to be an essential foundation for a fulfilling life and safe work – regardless of gender, sexual orientation or professional activity. We recognise that people in sex work often face unique challenges when it comes to their health. That’s why we want to ensure that all of our visitors have access to the information and resources they need to take the best care of their health. We educate and refer when needed.
We provide advice on health issues, including:
- Prevention and treatment
- Safer Sex
- HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
- PrEP and PEP
- Safer use / safer drug use, ChemSex and addiction
- Testing services
- Mental health
- Health system and health insurance
…your individual needs and questions.
We cannot carry out tests or treatments on site and are not trained medical staff. We offer basic advice and referrals if necessary. Our sibling project Subway has a weekly medical consultation every Friday from 5 to 7 pm.