International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE)
Violation of human rights, the right to work, violation of the rights of sex workers; the latest case of Marina Spa
Dispatch to European Committees
As representatives of the adult industry who defend the legality and fairness of sex work in the Republic of Slovenia, we once again warn about the extremely controversial and very likely illegal actions of the Slovenian law enforcement and judiciary. The dispatch was sent to representatives of: The Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), The Sex Workers Rights Advocacy Network (SWAN), International Committee on the Rights of Sex Workers in Europe (ICRSE). It was also sent for information to: President Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Marjan Šarec. As impartial expert observers, we emphasize that it is only necessary to comply with the legislation and allow sex workers a free path to employment. The profession will be standardized like other professions, employment will be possible, and this will immediately greatly reduce prostitution with elements of criminal offenses. With this case, we want to warn the competent services that carry out supervision over undeclared work and the gray economy that sex workers who perform this as natural persons (unreported) can be mistakenly treated as victims of forced prostitution, and as a result of ignorance of the law, irreparable economic and social damage can occur.
Dear ICRSE, we have a problem!
We are writing to you as representatives of the adult industry, and consequently also as representatives of sex workers in Slovenia. In February and March we open representative offices in the countries of the former Yugoslavia (population of 30 million inhabitants). Sex work in Slovenia: – 2003 decriminalized prostitution – 2005 Declaring sex work as a craft activity (for opening a company) – 2007 Declaration of sex work as a job (employment of workers). In the event that a sex worker opens a personal company – with a flat tax (4% tax). Sex workers in Slovenia have all social transfers and protection. When a worker declares himself as a sex worker, this is not disclosed to public information, as sex work is recorded under the activity OTHER, among 27 other unrelated activities. By doing this, sex workers are not stigmatized. Where is the problem? In Slovenia, 98% of sex workers are not declared sex workers. Therefore, all potential victims of forced prostitution, even if they work voluntarily. When in all countries there are also bad sides of sexual activity, but in the 21st century and in Slovenia, very rare. The mission of our organization is to raise awareness and information about sex work and laws in the Republic of Slovenia. Overcoming human rights and unlawful intercourse in the sex industry: On January 23, 2019, the Slovenian authorities carried out a police action in a business facility that offered space in the form of erotic wellness for adults in all areas of the legislation of the Republic of Slovenia. Guests, as men, as women, freely come to the wellness facilities and socialize privately (which is not forbidden) in temporarily enclosed spaces. Wellness was protected by a security service that took care of the safety/safety of all guests. Personally, as a representative of the adult industry, in the summer of 2018 I worked as a rescuer from the water where I monitored and watched the activities. During the period of one month, I did not detect any errors and my rating was AAA. Police action was based on solving the victims of forced prostitution. According to the report of the security service of which it operated during the police raid, none of the potential victims of the declarations were victims. Also, according to the employees’ reports, the girls were, as guests, leaving the facility with a crying and asking whether the building is really closed. According to our data, not one of the female guests in a view of criminal exploitation did not asked police for help, safe house or anything similar. According to our information, this is a politically organized campaign which has nothing to do with forced or organized prostitution. The media does not listen to us and ignore our opinion. Also, politically motivated “humane societies” are still demonizing the branch, preventing and intimidating people, and suggesting that prostitution is a behavioral disorder. Please, we would need the support of Europe and the world to finally end the agony and intimidation of those responsible who do NOT WANT to comply with the legislation on which the democratic Republic of Slovenia is based. With respect, President of Dobra Družba, Žiga Sedevčič, Ljubljana, 27.01.2019