[Prostitution as a form of coping with childhood sexual abuse with its sequelae]

Since August 1987 the Public Health Advisory Service on Venereal Diseases in Berlin-Schöneberg offers psychological and social counselling and advice for prostitutes who wish to quit their present job. Until 31.12.1989 53 prostitutes gave up prostitution with the help of the Advisory Service. Taking into consideration American studies on the connection between sexual abuse during childhood and prostitution, and from own observations, the Beratungsstelle commissioned a psychologist to work with victims of sexual abuse who are now prostitutes. The outcome of this work confirmed the American studies. Besides drug abuse, mental and physical disorders, prostitution is yet another attempt to cope with the once endured sexual violence. The fear of AIDS prompts an increasing number of prostitutes to give their life another direction. Therefore, they are in need of special care by the institutions of Public Health. The Public Health Advisory Service on Venereal Diseases in Berlin-Schöneberg is one of the four governmental social and medical centres for patients suffering from venereal diseases in Berlin (West).