Hungary Prostitutes are being rescued from Switzerland

September 9, 2011

Comment: The Hungarian article in ‘Népszabadság’ calls upon the worrying situation of the Hungarian under-age sex workers in Switzerland. Since sex work is legal in Switzerland from the age of 16, a high number of Hungarian minors are exploited there, often with fake identity papers.

The article quotes Zoltán Balog the State Secretariat for Social Inclusion from the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice – who, together with the Protestant church of Aargau initiated a legislative change in Swiss law. Furthermore they have started awareness raising among Hungarian youth about the dangers of prostitution and are applying to the Swiss Fund to establish a shelter for victims of trafficking sexually exploited and rescued in Switzerland – as there is no shelter yet in Hungary and victims have no place to go after their return.

The article brings more light to the much-publicized issue that Hungarian sex workers – among them many 14-16-year-olds flooded Switzerland, clearly a result of human trafficking. It also points out that there are tasks for the Hungarian authorities, including awareness raising among young people, but also legislative changes in Hungary and establishment of services for victims. It is reassuring to find that a state secretary in Hungary is not only knowledgeable about the issue but has taken steps to address it. This is especially so after the Minister of Interior’s infamous remarks that child prostitution is nonexistent in Hungary.

Comment: Rita Savai, Regional Office for Central and South Eastern Europe, Terre des hommes- Child Relief