Problem addressed
Like everyone else, sex workers occasionally feel the urge to change careers, but unlike many others, they suffer more from social stigma and could have been victims of abusive practices as well as human trafficking. Often, a lack of relevant experience in other lines of work, problems with residence status or social dependencies hinder transitional processes and create a need for additional support. Carinthia has around 400 sexworkers total, including non-registered sexworkers and and so far there has been no project offer for this target group in the region.
Innovative solution
"re(ad)dress" provides clearing without the need to commit to further project offers, e.g., sexworkers can get information about their current legal status without having to attend courses for further training. All services are structured to provide a holistic support system, clients can receive housing, further training including childcare, additional financial assistance, psychotherapy as well as social work. While there are separate offers focused on individual sexworkers, “re(ad)dress” is the only known initiative which makes good use of group dynamics and synergy to put multiple sexworkers through its program at once; regarding the group dynamic, by February of 2025 the second 17-month program has been partly opened (note, only the further training aspects) to a percentage of refugee women in order to stimulate the group by sparking comparison and competition within (note; the program is promoted as a course for migrant women).
Key results and benefits
During the first 17-month program "re(ad)dress" did successfully support 5 sexworkers in a sustainable transition within the labour market (note; Carinthia has around 400 sexworkers total, including non-registered sexworkers). Besides the labour market success, there were multiply actions implemented to shine a light on sexwork and sexworkers and to destigmatize their field of work. In the current 17-mont program a total of 17 clients, 6 sexworkers and 11 refugee or migrant women, take part.
It is essential for the success of the project to take into account the participants' initial situation, to counteract any obstacles that arise and to create a holistic, individualised and trust-based programme in order to ensure both psychosocial support and economic stability. By participating in internships, the participants were able to further develop their professional skills and try out new things in a protected environment. These experiences not only boost self-confidence, but also enable the formation of networks that are crucial for their professional future. The project provides a valuable daily structure and the opportunity to actively engage with learning content, such as German courses. Participants reported an improvement in their quality of life on a psychological and physical level. The assistance with administrative procedures was highlighted as particularly positive.
Potential for mainstreaming
Our project leans heavily on our established profile in carrying out labour market initiatives. In its core, “re(ad) dress” could therefore be characterized as a labour market program and be implemented as such using the labour market agencies and national or regional funding across Austria or in other European Countries with a similar legal framework. Additional services, not usually provided by those programs, like housing, psychotherapy or financial assistance should be readily made available regardless of who is carrying out the core program.
In this context, it is important to mention that our project was accompanied by an evaluation process and that continuous reflection took place. This evaluation has also provided scientific results that can be used as a basis for scaling processes, as well as corresponding project documents.
