A look at the sex trade Phone sex, street sex, massage parlours: what insiders say

The Swiss Landesmuseum in Zurich has launched a new exhibition titled “Erfahrungen Schweiz,” featuring interviews with eleven individuals who work in the sex industry. The exhibition explores the economic, social, and personal dimensions of sex work in Switzerland, which has been legally permitted since 1942 for heterosexual workers and since 1992 for homosexual workers. Despite its legality, the profession continues to face institutional discrimination and societal stigma. According to Marina Amstad, curator of the exhibition, approximately 20,000 people are currently employed in the sex trade in Switzerland. She notes that the density of brothels in the country is high, and estimates suggest that nearly one in five men purchases sexual services at least once a year. While there is no official data on women’s participation, she emphasizes that the economic impact of the industry is substantial. The exhibition includes large-format video interviews with participants, offering insight into their experiences and motivations. Tessa, a 36-year-old interviewee, recounts her journey from working in hospitality, where she earned little and accumulated debt, to turning to street prostitution after her wages were garnished. She later worked in clubs and eventually found greater autonomy through sex work. “I am more self-determined now than I was in my previous job,” she says. Her experience reflects a common narrative among sex workers who seek financial stability and independence. Judith, a 61-year-old woman from the western part of Switzerland, describes how sex work became a lifeline after her husband’s business failed. She initially engaged in phone sex from home, finding it convenient and discreet. Over time, she transitioned to a massage salon and later into sexual companionship. “Without this work, I might not have come out as a lesbian,” she explains, highlighting the role sex work played in her personal identity formation. Andrea, who appears under a pseudonym in the exhibition, shares her story as a former dominatrix in eastern Switzerland. After facing a violent incident in 2015, she closed her studio and returned to her previous occupation. Today, she works part-time with a small client base. Her experience underscores the challenges faced by sex workers, including safety concerns and the difficulty of transitioning out of the industry. The exhibition also addresses the ongoing institutional discrimination against sex workers. Participants describe barriers such as the inability to obtain disability insurance due to their employment status. Some mention the existence of a historical “prostitute registry” used to track sex workers, though this practice has largely been discontinued. The exhibition includes a segment on the history of sex work in Switzerland, tracing its evolution from the early days of peep shows in the 1980s to the opening of the first female-only brothel in Leibstadt, Aargau, in 2001, which operated for just weeks before closing. These historical references provide context for the current state of the industry and its cultural significance. Denise Tonella, director of the Swiss National Museum, explains the rationale behind the exhibition: “In the format ‘Erfahrungen Schweiz,’ we bring forward themes of recent history that represent a societal reality that has shaped our present.” The museum aims to foster dialogue around topics that remain sensitive and often overlooked. The exhibition runs until the end of the year, drawing both domestic and international visitors. It offers a nuanced portrayal of sex work in Switzerland, revealing the complex interplay of legality, economics, and personal agency. As the interviews reveal, the lives of those in the sex trade are marked by resilience, adaptation, and sometimes, survival.