The Cuddlery: When the Need for Closeness Opens a New Social Question

Sexual Therapy Without Sexual Intercourse

In 2022, a debate opened in Maribor about a concept that transcends classic notions of the adult industry. The Cuddlery – a space for conversation, closeness, and human warmth without sexual intercourse – sparked interest, but also concerns. A report by SobotaInfo reveals how this new idea fits between therapy, social need, and the cultural boundaries of what is acceptable.

The idea for the Cuddlery was presented by Žiga Sedevčič, president of the Dobra Družba organization, inspired by similar concepts abroad. As he explains, in practice, there are already clients who, within the framework of commercial sexuality, are not looking for sex, but for conversation, closeness, and the feeling of being heard.

The Cuddlery is envisioned as a safe, quiet place where a so-called 'cuddler' works – a person trained to listen, recognize distress, and provide emotional support. It is a 'prelude to therapy' that can, if necessary, refer the individual to further professional help.

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Between Therapy and an 'Instant Solution'

The report also includes a critical perspective in the discussion. Monk Mitja Sivec warns that such activities can be only a temporary and instant solution to loneliness. While he sees conversation as legitimate, he is reserved about physical closeness with strangers. His concern opens a key question: where is the line between legitimate support and replacing relationships that would otherwise develop in a personal environment?

The Historical Context of Maribor

The report also places the Cuddlery in the broader historical context of Maribor. In the second half of the 19th century, the city experienced a boom in industry and migration, which led to the flourishing of brothels – especially in the Lent district. As historian Sašo Radovanović explains, prostitution was not prohibited at that time, but regulated, which allowed for more control and fewer gray areas.

This historical perspective relativizes today's debates and shows that society has been dealing with questions of intimacy, work, and morality for a long time – just in different forms.

Public Reactions: Between Reservation and Understanding

The opinions of Maribor's residents are divided. Some see the idea as a sad sign of modern loneliness, while others believe that closeness belongs in the immediate family circle. Still others are open to the concept, especially in the post-corona era, when the need for human contact has intensified.

The common thread in the reactions is caution: an understanding of the need, but also a desire for clear boundaries.

What Does the Report Reveal?

The Cuddlery is not presented as a provocation, but as an attempt to respond to a real social need – loneliness in a time of fragmented communities. The report does not offer simple answers, but opens a space for reflection on how society understands therapy, closeness, and work in the field of intimacy.

The question is not whether such concepts exist (they are already established abroad), but how to place them so that they are safe, ethical, and clearly separated from abuse.