Human rights groups estimated that 40,000 women, most from Eastern Europe,
would travel to Germany to work as prostitutes during the World Cup. The German
government did not release its own estimate. Officials say privately they
believe the number is a fraction of that, though they acknowledge that the
shadowy nature of sex trafficking makes it hard to be precise.
The German Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation said it had "no knowledge
or information" about any cases of forced prostitution during the tournament, a
spokeswoman said.
Christian Sachs, a spokesman for the German Interior Ministry, which oversees
security issues, said, "It looks as if the fears that were mentioned ¡ª that the
World Cup would lead to a rise in cases of forced prostitution and sex
trafficking ¡ª have fortunately not been the case."
In Hamburg and Cologne, which have well-known red-light districts, the
authorities say there has been little evidence of increased prostitution. The
only city in which the police reported a substantial increase in the number of
women working in licensed sex clubs was Munich, increasing to 800 from 500.
Some workers in the sex trade said the communal nature of the World Cup
discourages visits to prostitutes, which is by nature a furtive, solitary
activity. Many foreign visitors have come to Germany with their families or
friends, and travel in buses and campers that do not afford much privacy.
"For most people, it's just too complicated," Ms. Klee said. "It's difficult
to say to your friends, 'I'm going to leave you now and go to a brothel for 20
minutes.' That's not normal behavior."
Artemis, which has a Web site in six languages, tries to woo nervous
customers by promoting itself as a by-the-book operation. Mr. Krumeich said its
workers must be 21 years old and have valid residency documents ¡ª a condition
challenged by some women between ages 18 and 21 who say the minimum age is
unlawful.
Most of the club's 50 or so regular workers are from Russia, Ukraine, Poland,
Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Tatiana, a cheerful 32-year-old Croatian who works at a sex club in Cologne,
relocated to Berlin for the World Cup because Croatia played Brazil here. On
that day, she said, she did a brisk business with her countrymen. There were far
fewer Brazilian customers, however.
Luna, her friend, described Artemis as a "neutral ground," where politics and
national rivalries are left at the door. The customers remain passionate about
soccer, however, as do the women. Whenever a game is on, Luna said, they stop
what they are doing to watch it. The club shows the games live in a theater
normally used for pornographic films.
"I cried when Serbia lost 6-0 to Argentina," Luna said, stubbing out a
cigarette and heading back to work.
