Sex work instead of travel: short-term rentals used for prostitution and adult jobs
An increasing number of people are using Airbnb and similar platforms to run temporary
brothels. These properties can be listed for
rent for brief stays and turned into venues for sex work – often referred to as “pop-up brothels.”
Paul (a pseudonym for privacy) returned from a trip to a shocking scene: rubbish scattered throughout his home and used condoms left in the bathroom.
His Berlin apartment, offered on Airbnb, had apparently been used for
prostitution while he was away.
For all I know, there could have been 20 or even 50 visitors here in a single week.
- said Paul, the owner.
Paul’s experience is not isolated. More vacation rentals are being misused for illegal prostitution.
Pop-up brothels and prostitution are on the rise
Stephan Fuchs, who works with the Swiss group “Victims of Human Trafficking,” supports German authorities in tackling a new form of exploitation that operates outside the rules of legal
adult jobs.
Since the COVID era, a growing number of criminal networks have been booking short-term rentals to run
prostitution operations.
These apartments aren’t inspected, and they’re simple to book.
– Fuchs explained.
According to Bär, a CSU lawmaker,
Germany has become a haven for forced prostitution, pimps, and traffickers.
He argues that buying sexual services should be prohibited, believing it would curb exploitation. The issue primarily impacts women who are coerced into working in these “pop-up brothels.”
Claudia Robbe, from the Women’s Information Center (FiZ) in Stuttgart, said:
Many women don’t even know which city they’re in.
This makes it extremely hard for them to reach support organizations. Robbe is convinced that this setup leaves
sex workers exposed and at risk.
“In most cases, organized criminal groups control these apartments — the women are not the ones renting them,” added Claudia Robbe.
Police efforts against unlicensed erotic adult jobs
While prostitution is legal in
Germany, it is restricted to officially registered
brothels, erotic studios, laufhauses, and massage parlors. However, since the pandemic began, the number of women and other sex workers subject to sexual exploitation has grown.
Experts believe many cases likely go unreported and remain unseen.
Investigators in Leipzig, including Sören F., report that uncovering these operations is highly challenging.
“Whether they use Booking.com or Airbnb, these rentals are often not officially registered. That makes investigations difficult,” he said. Even in cities with well-resourced police departments, shutting down unlawful
sex work is tough.
How are Airbnb and similar companies addressing misuse and prostitution?
Airbnb says it collaborates closely with law enforcement worldwide.
Booking.com also states it supports authorities in every possible way.
According to investigator Sören F., however, cooperation with Airbnb is not always straightforward.
Because the company’s headquarters are in Ireland, communication with German police can be complicated, and responses often take a long time.
Digital tools unfortunately make trafficking easier
Online purchase of sexual services, instant rental bookings, and anonymity leave many women extremely vulnerable.
They’re frequently isolated, without support, and dependent on male clients and guests.
Research by ZDF indicates that many men behave with fewer inhibitions in these settings because online anonymity shields them from real-world consequences.
This is exactly why it’s important to choose reputable, verified sexy jobs, thoroughly vet advertisers, and confirm all terms related to the sex work in advance.
Source:
ZDF Heute.
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