Woman from Hungary, 39, Coerced into Prostitution

A brothel in the Leopoldstadt district of Vienna recently became the scene of a forced prostitution case. The victim, a 39-year-old Hungarian woman, was allegedly forced into prostitution by a man who had brought her to Vienna under the pretense of helping her obtain legal authorization to work in the sex industry. Once they arrived at the brothel, the man demanded that she work for him and turn over her earnings. He threatened to kill her if she didn’t comply.

Fortunately, witnesses intervened and came to the woman’s aid, causing the man to flee. Following this, the Vienna police were called to the scene, and a manhunt for the suspect was launched. The search led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man at the Nickelsdorf border crossing by the Burgenland police.

The case was then taken over by the Vienna State Criminal Police, Human Trafficking Investigation Department, Storage Group. The suspect was transferred to Vienna for questioning, where he denied the charges of threat and suspicion of prostitution trafficking. The Vienna public prosecutor’s office released him pending further investigation.

The State Criminal Police continue to investigate the case, as forced prostitution and human trafficking are serious criminal offenses. They are working to determine the extent of the man’s involvement in the incident and whether he was part of a larger criminal organization. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing issue of human trafficking and forced prostitution in Austria, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activities to the authorities.

The incident also highlights the bravery of the witnesses who intervened and came to the aid of the victim. Their actions helped to prevent a potentially tragic outcome and brought attention to a serious criminal offense. The Vienna police and State Criminal Police are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved in the sex industry, and to bringing those who engage in illegal activities to justice.

Prostitution remains highly prevalent in France despite its illegal status, with illegal brothels continuing to thrive. French police have struggled to combat the issue, facing numerous South American pimps and prostitution rings. A raid last November saw the arrest of several pimps and the closure of two illegal brothels, with over 60 sex workers found in the operation. Read more here: Pimping is Still Highly Prevalent in France

The owner of multiple brothels in Austria, Joe Leber, has found a way to cut expenses during the economic decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation. He has decided to lower the heating costs in his brothels, despite colder temperatures, and his customers have not been complaining. Read the whole story here: The Customers are Not Complaining about the Colder Brothels

The city of Vienna is planning to transform the former red-light district of Felberstraße in the Westbahnhof area into a green oasis. After the 2011 prostitution law, prostitution has been banned in most parts of the city, including the industrial area. Vienna is collaborating with BB Infrastruktur to create climate-friendly districts by turning old train station locations into green areas to improve air quality and provide a natural aesthetic. The city is gathering suggestions from residents for a detailed plan that will be ready in 2023. Read more here: New Green Oasis in the Ex Red Light District of Westbahnhof