The “Happy Whore”

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There is an ongoing and quite frequent public debate regarding the existence of the so-called “happy whore.”

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• If she exists, we have yet to meet her.

       (over the last 20 years.)

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No young woman voluntarily asks a guidance counselor how she might train to become a prostitute—whether in a brothel or on the streets.​

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Instead, we have encountered several women who have sought our support to leave prostitution and rediscover themselves.

I stedet opleves:

 

​The Danish woman…

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• who, having suffered severe neglect as a child, has sought validation for her shattered self-esteem by engaging in prostitution,

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• who, “by chance”—following a heavy night of drinking—woke up on a Sunday morning with money in her hand, having sold her body in a hotel room to a man twice her age, and who has relied solely on prostitution for her livelihood ever since,

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• who may have completed a master’s degree, but who, during her studies, supplemented her student grant by selling her body—perhaps starting with “sugar dating”—only to see her self-esteem gradually destroyed.

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The foreign woman (Romanian, Brazilian, Thai, Nigerian, Russian, and 20 other nationalities over the past 20 years):

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• who has been trafficked as a sex slave

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• who, seeing no other way out of poverty, turned to prostitution and now believes she is capable of nothing else

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• who met the “wrong boyfriend,” fell into bad company, and suddenly found herself on the streets working as a prostitute.

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Everyone has an opinion on prostitution, and it is a topic that often stirs up strong emotions. Everyone believes they are in the right.

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• However, there is universal agreement on the issue of trafficking: it must be stopped!

 

 

​120-day reflection period

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Current Danish legislation—which grants individuals identified as victims of trafficking a period of 30 to 120 days of legal residence in Denmark—is entirely inadequate.

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Victims of trafficking need more than 30 to 120 days to regain enough trust to rebuild their sense of identity and self-image—steps essential for boosting their self-worth and establishing a secure foundation to begin a career outside of prostitution.

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• We have a clear message for Danish politicians: Extend the reflection period—allow for a longer stay in Denmark!

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Lack of State Support and Funding​

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Since NEWLIVES began its work in 2007, it has always been—and remains—important to highlight the current lack of public and state support and funding for programs aimed at individuals in prostitution and victims of human trafficking.

When someone is in the process of leaving prostitution, they typically require a wide range of diverse—and often highly individualized—forms of assistance, support, and care. Yet, the support and funding provided by successive Danish governments remain consistently inadequate.

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Part of the reason for this lies in a lack of interest, as well as a shortage of well-established methods and facilities to provide optimal support for these women.

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• The message remains clear: Enough talk—it is time for action!

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Do something about it now.