40,000 Prostitutes for Soccer World Cup
Jun 8, 2005
BERLIN (Reuters) - A German city is rushing to install a series of drive-in
wooden "sex garages" in time for next year's Soccer World Cup and an expected
boom in the local sex trade, a city official said Wednesday. Dortmund, one of 12
cities to host World Cup matches, is anxious to keep prostitutes and their
clients off the streets by providing them with discreet places to do business.
Experts estimate as many as 40,000 prostitutes may travel to Germany to offer
their services to fans during the tournament. "The World Cup has put us under
added time pressure, as we don't want a situation where prostitutes and their
clients disturb residential areas," the official said. Prostitution is legal in
Germany in designated areas.
"In Dortmund we have an official red light district on the outskirts, but there
is a problem. There is not enough space for everyone to park." Dortmund plans to
arrange the Dutch-designed huts, which have been introduced in the city of
Cologne, another World Cup venue, in an area with condom machines and snack bar.
"Men have to get used to them of course, but a high percentage accept them
because they can protect their anonymity," the official said. "That said there
will always be those who want to go behind a bush, under a bridge or into the
woods."