European Network for HIV/STD Prevention in Prostitution
Supported by the European Commission, DGV: Consumer and Health Directorate.
European Network Male Prostitution
Katrin Schiffer
| background | aims | development | results | new perspectives |
The background of the European Network
A forgotten issue
Male prostitution is still a forgotten issue on the social and political agenda. Due to financial limitations (and other reasons) only a few countries within Europe are able to offer specific service provision to this group. This applies especially to countries in Southern- and Eastern Europe.
Increasing mobility
Nevertheless, the mobility and the migration of male sex workers increased in the past 10 years. More and more service providers, offering social and medical services, are confronted with the phenomenon of migrant male sex workers, mostly coming from Eastern Europe.
Specific problematic
The group of male sex workers is hard to reach. They live in a marginalised subculture, stigmatised by a double taboo (homosexuality and prostitution), struggling with sexual identity problems and last but not least: many of them are illegal and won’t trust easily any project offering services to them.
Experience of AMOC
AMOC started in 1994 the Eastern European project, which is focusing on the group male sex workers from Eastern Europe. Within the past 5 years we could develop specific strategies and methodologies in order to approach this group, to support and advice them and to carry out HIV- and STD-prevention activities.
Need in exchange
In the past years we were approached more and more often by several service providers all over Europe. They expressed their need in international exchange and mutual support. Due to the increasing mobility of the group this contacts became more and more useful and necessary.
We were glad when the European Commission decided to give priority to the issue of male prostitution. In September 1997 we could start the European Network, which was consisting of 16 countries: The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Romania.
the aims of the network
1. Developing a network of organisations in the member states and Eastern Europe, which work in the field of male prostitution.
2. Exchanging experience and knowledge concerning strategies, knowledge and methods of HIV/STD-prevention.
3. Developing a European Resource Book about the different organisations, their aims and services as well as an analysis of the juridical, social and medical situation regarding male prostitution and homosexuality.
4. Producing a Travel Guide for boys/young men, working in prostitution with short information about the different countries and addresses of different organisation all over in Europe.
The Resource Book as well as the Travel Guide will officially be presented at the end of the year.
development of the project
The first year of the project was mainly focused on gathering information. A questionnaire for service providers was developed. The national co-ordinators of each country gathered addresses, informed their colleagues within their country, promoted the network and sent the questionnaires around. They produced Country Reports with information about the juridical, social and medical situation concerning male sex work and homosexuality. All this information is part of the Resource Book and the Travel Guide.
The second year of the project could be used for the discussion on practical issues (like: ways of approach, strategies for HIV- and STD-prevention, differences and similarities between countries: South- North/ East-West; ways of networking, working standards,…).
Besides, many project partners started to organise meetings and symposia within their country in order to exchange information and to motivate mutual support on national level.
Each partner could bring bilateral visits, which lead to useful contacts and practical support as well. This practical way of exchange was considered to be very useful by all partners.
results of the project
- Need of national networking
* Motivation of mutual support and practical co-operation
* Improving service provision within the country
- Need of regional networking
* Big differences within the European regions
* Support of practical collaboration of countries within a region
- Support of less facilitated areas
* Especially countries within Eastern- and Southern Europe
* Support within European regions will be more effective
- Platform of expertise and advice
* Advice and dissemination of information, knowledge and material to policy makers
* Advice, support, practical co-operation and dissemination
- Involvement of sex workers
* Within practical work (for example as peer)
* Support for self organising
new perspectives
The European Network Male Prostitution ended officially September this year. We put forward a new proposal and hope that the Commission will enable us to continue our work for two more years. The objectives of the new project are based on the developments and the results of the past two years:
HIV- and STD prevention/ Health promotion
- Further development of HIV- and STD-prevention and Health promotion strategies among the high risk group of male sex workers within Europe ;
- Exchange of information and knowledge concerning HIV- and STD-prevention / Health promotion strategies;
- Stimulation of free Hepatitis B and C vaccination within Europe
Network:
- Further development of the European Network Male Prostitution;
- Development of 3 Regional Groups with specific working plans;
- Stimulation and development of National Networking within each country;
- Support of less facilitated areas, countries and projects within Europe
Contents:
- Development of a European platform of expertise and knowledge within the field of male sex work;
- Advisory and assistance for colleagues within Europe;
- Development of minimum standards for service providers within Europe focusing on the group of male sex workers within the field of HIV- and STD-prevention;
- Data collection and database of migration issues and other relevant issues concerning HIV- and STD-prevention and male prostitution in all member states
Production and dissemination of information and expertise:
- Production/ gathering of relevant information material within Europe or within regions for the target group;
- Production of a periodically newsletter and an information / referral website on Internet;
- Presentation of expertise, knowledge and developments on international forums and conferences
Political information/advice:
- Focus on human right issues concerning prostitution and homosexuality;
- Involvement of sex workers
The network will be divided into 3 Regional groups. This will enable the partners to support each other in a more practical way, to co-operate with each other and to develop specific working plans for their region, conform to their needs.
A general workingplan will be developed within the first General meeting. A regular exchange between the Regional group will ensure effective co-operation and support.
