World Cup Sex Rate Card
EmailBusiness is booming at the Artemis in Berlin, one of a number of "mega brothels" cashing in on the influx of World Cup soccer fans to Germany, where prostitution has been legal since 2002. For an entrance fee of about $90, visitors to Artemis, just down the street from the main World Cup stadium, can enjoy a gym, a pool and a champagne bar, along with big screen televisions so men can keep up with the matches.
Patrons pay by the half-hour for sex with the brothel’s young women. A half-hour including intercourse costs patrons $75 while oral sex is an additional $20.
The German Women’s Council estimates that over 40,000 foreign women have been brought into Germany as sex workers for this type of "mega brothel."
"The commercial sex industry there nets about $18 billion per year. That’s slightly more than the profits of the country’s largest department store chain," says Katherine Chon of the Polaris Project, a Washington D.C.-based human rights group. The owners of Artemis and other "mega-brothels" say the women working for them were recruited legally and are registered with the government, as provided by German law. But Chon and other human rights groups say that the German government is looking the other way at reports that thousands of foreign women brought into these mega brothels are actually victims of illegal sex trafficking. "Some of the state officials are involved in building some of the brothels because it’s legalized and regulated." Chon says. "It’s not in Germany’s interest to bring the issue to light." Germany says it takes the issue very seriously and claims it’s increasing police activity to help separate and combat illegal sex trafficking with legalized sex during the World Cup. The government plan includes interrogating women and asking them if they are working voluntarily in sex businesses. Chon and others criticize the technique as "a band-aid approach" that makes the government look good but does little to combat the problem. "It isn’t effective because traffickers often threaten the women with abuse," says Chon. "So the workers give the answers they’re told to give."
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If you want to risk catching something more power to you. You got to pay for it then you need to reevaluate your social life
Posted by: Mike | June 14, 2006, 10:22 am 10:22 am
Since Germany legalized prostitution, they should used German prostitute not women from other country. I wonder whats their
visa.
Posted by: Ben | June 14, 2006, 10:27 am 10:27 am
If the United States could ever get over its moral issues, and legalize marijuana AND prostitution, and TAX them…
Bye bye deficit.
Posted by: Cho | June 14, 2006, 10:29 am 10:29 am
Germany should be embarrass by the money they make through legal porn shops. I think they should have their daughters and granddaughters of what if, it were their own family members in those porn sex shops. I think the German Government families would think twice of legalizing sex in their own country.
Posted by: Leimomi | June 14, 2006, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
Germany is full of hypocrites. They all pay their mandatory church tax, claim to be so holy, don’t go to church, but legalize prostitution. Approx. 1/2 are Catholic and 1/2 Protestant. I’ve been there many times, and find their moral(what morals?) totally screwed up.
Posted by: jan | June 14, 2006, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Quoting Mike, “If you want to risk catching something more power to you…” The risk is minimized, as condom use is mandatory.
“[If] You got to pay for it then you need to reevaluate your social life.” Help me understand how paying for sex obligates me to reevaluate my social life. That’s a non sequitur.
Posted by: YGBSM | June 14, 2006, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Human trafficing is a world wide issue. If Germany is going to continue to allow legal prostitution, they are only helping to increase the problem, they are not helping in solving it! IT is Inhuman…
Posted by: Mindy | June 14, 2006, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
Opposing regulated, legalized brothels doesn’t prevent child sex abust, it creates it.
Posted by: Jack | June 14, 2006, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
We are talking about the most sellable commodity on the planet. By what means does anyone propose to reduce demand?
Posted by: Joe Tate | June 14, 2006, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Wow….seems like illegal immigrants are affecting the Germans too. The prices are so cheap the local gals must be losing business. That means the locals go on the unemployment dole?? Sounds all too familiar!!
Posted by: jim | June 14, 2006, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Germany sounds great. I should go there to one of the brothels. I am tired of the U.S. trying to impose its values on other countries. The women choose to go into prostitution there. The right wing in the U.S. then lies and claims that women are forced into prostitution. Well, prove it right wingers. Prostitution is awesome and should be legal in the U.S. too, so we can get all the tax money off of it. Same with marijuana.
Posted by: John | June 14, 2006, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
I think it is GREAT that they have legalized it there, I am a happy married man, but if I had the chance to go there, you better belive I am gonna play out my wildest dreams with some of their beautiful women, I don`t care if I have to pay $75.00 for it….!!..BRAVO..!!
Posted by: Kevin | June 14, 2006, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
For all those who criticise German’s system of legalized prostitution, I have a question -”What is the benefit of criminalising prostitution? Does it make it stop ?”
Far from being hypocritical, I find the German system honest and gives the prostitutes the best chance of protection, rather than criminalising them.
Posted by: Paul | June 14, 2006, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
Prostitution is legal in a part of the U.S. – Las Vegas, Nevada. And how about the prostitution during the National Convention. I watched a story about it on TV.
Posted by: Pam | June 14, 2006, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
What do you expect from a country that plunged the world into two world wars and is the beer capital of the world?
Germany has sunk deeper into moral depravity.
Posted by: Edward | June 14, 2006, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm
I just got back from Germany- wish I had gone to Berlin!
Posted by: Darren | June 14, 2006, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Wow….this world is a total mess! We need another Deluge to clean it all up.
Posted by: TI | June 14, 2006, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm
Their prostitution is regulated, there was nothing in the article indication child sexual abuse was happening, all the girls were LEGALLY recruited and registered with the government. That means they chose to do that work and profit off of it. Unlike most prostitution in the US pimp profit, tricks get aids and the girls are likely hijacked runnaways who need a fix and some eating money. Get real people, they are doing it right, it’s safe, it’s legal and it’s regulated, that’s something the moralistic majority in the US can’t seem to get right.
Posted by: JD | June 14, 2006, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm
Prostitution has been around for over 2000 years! Go to Pompii and see what was going on in 79 AD!! It is legalized in many places around the world and should be legalized in the USA.
This is a moral issue and costs taxpayers plenty to investigate and prosecute and warehouse prostitutes and their clients. It is the world’s oldest profession and will always be around. Just as someone mentioned- legalalizing marijuana- is inevitable…just based upon the cost to the criminal justice system. The revenues from any “vice taxes” could pay for more important things in our society; as opposed to placating religious zelots!
Posted by: Kj | June 14, 2006, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
I have never paid for sex in my life – with the exception of my recent divorce, in which case I paid plenty…..
Posted by: Mark | June 14, 2006, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
I have never paid for sex. but I feel Prostitution should be legalized in the US and abroad. The cavit here is that it should be TAXED with all dollars going to AIDS research, not for improving roads, sewers and most government wasted projects. Richard
Posted by: Richard | June 14, 2006, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
This is a situation that has many sides. For Germany to legalize prostition, whatever – AS LONG as the women are of age and what seems to be the biggest point – CONSENTING ADULT – when they are bringing in women and young girls in to fill the demand is when the situation is bad. As someone mentioned….if a woman is forced to be there and has been abused and scared, she will say whatever her OWNERS tell her to say —- see that word OWNER – it’s a slave trade and is a big problem in the US as well as the rest of the world. That is what has to stop – the selling and trading of human beings. For the rest of the people – HOW SAD it is you have to pay for sex — you must be pretty lame that a woman doesn’t want to be with you for free…
Posted by: Carla | June 14, 2006, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
Meh, who cares. It’s going to exist no matter what anyone does. It’s like trying to ban alcohol. Just live and let live.
Posted by: Joe | June 14, 2006, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm
New Zealand has adopted legalized prostituion too! And I don’t see how it has harmed that country at all. It is simply a personal choice … as for me, I would rather find that lovely beauty and keep her all to myself… until I found someone else …
Posted by: Peter | June 14, 2006, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
If you wanna play, you’re gonna pay. No matter what. End o’ story.
Posted by: Tom Joy | June 14, 2006, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm
and people still ask why we get AIDs!!!! thank god for god
Posted by: moty | June 14, 2006, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
Think twice. “Mega Brothels”… This is a nightmare and they exist because there is a mass market… This is the kind of behaviour that will cause the fall of our western civilization. Sad times.
Posted by: vasco | June 15, 2006, 3:41 am 3:41 am
It’s legal in Las Vegas, why not Germany?
Posted by: Don | June 15, 2006, 8:30 am 8:30 am
Just in case you missed it, there is one very significant form of legalized prostitution already in existence in the United States – the US Congress! Now that’s one Mega Brothel we could all do without…..
Posted by: Mark again | June 15, 2006, 8:31 am 8:31 am
We have legal prostitution in Australia for years.
It’s no problem, the sky has not fallen in.
Why on earth do you Yanks get so upset about sex? Who cares?
Posted by: stapler | June 15, 2006, 8:33 am 8:33 am
I’m not sure if anyone else has seen this on T.V. There is a show called Cathouse and it is a documentary on a house of prostitution in Nevada. The entire thing is legal and the girls work there because they want to. Every week the girls were checked for STDs and were required to use a condom during intercourse. I’m sure this is the same standard they use in Germany.
Posted by: Grant Thompson | June 15, 2006, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
See, the Us and it’s people should not be trying to press it’s views and “values” on other countries. Let em go, does it really affect your way of life? Are you getting paid off of these women? They made the decision to do it, let em do it. They probaly get paid more than me and you. Another prime example of the people who live in the US and that have never got out of the country, probaly not ever out of their small town. Our way isn’t really the only way!
Posted by: J | June 16, 2006, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
If prostitution were legal in the United States I would be married by now. It would mean all those guys who are just out to find sexual satisfaction won’t lie to women about wanting relationships just to get in their pants. They would go out and pay for it without fear of reprisal. It would make it much easier to sift through the rubble and find a man who genuinely wants a relationship.
Posted by: Cat | June 19, 2006, 9:56 am 9:56 am
The underlying current with this problem is the fact the many of the prostitutes are victims of illegal sex traffic. Most of the posters here just can’t seem to understand what it means to be forced into doing something against one’s own will in order to simply survive and continue to breathe. Some people just can’t see the forest for the trees.
Posted by: David | June 19, 2006, 11:56 am 11:56 am
2000 years? It’s been going on LONG before that? Judah, Jacob’s son slept with a prostitute (Gen 38). Heck, Rahab the prostitute in Jericho saved the Hebrew spies’ lives and may have been a descendent of Jesus!
I personally don’t agree with it, but like drinking and smoking, I’d rather it be legal and taxed than for it to be supporting criminal organizations like it is now. Just like the GA lotto, might as well get some benefit out of it; people will be doing it anyway.
Posted by: Bigdawg88 | June 19, 2006, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
How about we all just mind our own business and point the finger back at ourselves? Why should the US or any other nation bud into each others “bedroom” when we have so many other issues to worry about? If we as a civilized society are not a part of the solution, we are indeed part of the problem!
Posted by: john_boy | June 20, 2006, 1:47 am 1:47 am
Prostitution in the US needs a better lobby in DC, that is all. I am not sure why prostiution is not legal in most states, think about it, the only reasons most guys date these days is to have sex with chicks. WHat else? Think about, with prostitution being legal we will save so much money and time. Most guys I know go for the chicks in the clubs, the ones that look easy and drunk in the parties, the ones with the tatoos in the back,and the pierced tongue, i bet you those gilrs sleep around more than the ones in germany
Posted by: dan | June 23, 2006, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
looks like you can have sexual relations in germany, i know of many guys here in America who cannot find a sexual partner!!
Posted by: flik | June 24, 2006, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
Either $90 a half hour as varied as you like, or a car, motgage and groceries till divorce or death do you part.
Don’t fool yourself, either way, it’s sex for sale.
And with the latter arrangement, as time goes on, as a rule there’s usually less and less sex for everyone, but the payments go on, and on, and on…
Posted by: zach | June 26, 2006, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm
I wonder if this brothel also provides services for women. Does anyone know if it’s staffed with men for the woman fan’s taking? It seems a little strange if it was just one sided.
Posted by: MR | June 28, 2006, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
Considering that hetrosexual sex is and always has been an arbitrary female perogative, (not a man’s)it would seem to me that women in general, being fortunate enough to have the market cornered on both the supply and demand side of things as far as sex is concerned generally have no problem with the supply side regarding sex. all they need do for most men is demand it…or insist on it and their demands are met. No supply problem from any of the males (hetro, of course)that I’ve ever talked to.
Men on the other hand, can have a demand all they like and find nominal to no supply lines.
The brothels balance this basic element of economics and marketing out to a large degree.
Still, I would think that in an attempt to capture even more of the Gad almighty dollar bill (or Duetchmark…) these brothels would probably have (as advertised) “something for everyone.
Posted by: zach | June 28, 2006, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm
I own a small business and I have a few female employees. All of them, with no exception, talk low about their husbands, in regards to their sex life. “That’s all he wants: sex, sex, sex…”
Most of my married male friends, if not all of them, are complaining about their sex life. Women don’t have the same sex drive as men, they want to feel safe, protected, and taken care of, but give very little or nothing in exchange. All married men out there know exactly what I’m talking about. So, Germany, you did good!!! With a brothel by my house, there would be no fighting between me and my wife.
Posted by: Dan Coroiu | July 9, 2006, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
I’m sure that a small minority of Americans would like to make prostitution illegal in Nevada (by the way, I believe that it’s actually illegal in Las Vegas and Reno, but legal in most other Nevada counties). But most of the people here in the U.S. who are so vocal against legal prostitution in other countries are not-so-surprisingly silent about Nevada.
The hypocrisy here about sex is amazing.
If any country is going to fall because of immorality, it’s more likely to happen due to the immorality of hypocrisy, not because of sexual activities. A political system based on lies and on hypocritical principles is a house of cards that will ultimately come crashing down.
In recent years, our government has been routinely playing fast and loose with the truth in an attempt to justify its choices and policies. This immorality at the top flows down to the entire society (the real “Trickle-Down Theory”), and we more and more see people emulating our phony, lying leaders, to the ultimate detriment of our entire culture.
Sexual morality is a hot button for many people in the U.S., and the politicians exploit this by publicly posturing about it, especially during election years. Some of these same politicians have mistresses and see prostitutes, by the way. This posturing is just another way to distract the populace from looking too closely at the treasonous acts that these people in government are routinely committing in the name of “Freedom”.
… in my humble opinion.
Posted by: Hippo Man | July 9, 2006, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
sounds better then the local bars
Posted by: carl | September 15, 2006, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm