Overview

• A June 2025 report by the Kriminologische Forschungsinstitut Niedersachsen credits the 2017 law with better informing sex workers of their rights and enforcing health counseling requirements
• Researchers surveyed more than 2,300 sex workers, 800 authority staff, 3,400 clients and 280 operators to gauge the act’s impact and uncover shortcomings
• Persistent data security fears and stigma contribute to low uptake of the mandatory registration process among many sex workers
• The evaluation reveals that local officials often lack specialized training and recommends centralized registration and standardized professional development
• Federal Family Minister Karin Prien has announced an independent expert commission to propose reforms and bolster the law’s effectiveness