A practical directory of organizations that support sex workers in Switzerland, what each one does, and how to reach them
Updated May 2026
Contents
- Why this directory exists
- How these organizations actually help
- Geneva and French speaking Switzerland
- Zurich and German speaking Switzerland
- Ticino and Italian speaking Switzerland
- National and federal resources
- Violence, trafficking, and emergency support
- Health and STI testing services
- Legal aid and complaint support
- If you are reaching out for the first time
- Frequently asked questions
01Why This Directory Exists
Switzerland has a network of organizations dedicated to supporting sex workers, but information about them is fragmented. Each canton has its own structure, each organization covers a specific scope, and the entry points are not always obvious from the outside.
This directory consolidates the practical information: who does what, where to reach them, in which languages, and for which situations. It is written for sex workers themselves, but is also useful for anyone supporting a friend, a family member, or a client of these services.
The organizations listed here share a few common principles: confidentiality, free or very low cost services, no judgment, and respect for the autonomy of the person reaching out. None of them require you to leave the activity, change your situation, or take specific action. They start where you are.
02How These Organizations Actually Help
Support organizations for sex workers in Switzerland typically offer one or more of the following services. Knowing what they do helps you reach the right one for your situation.
Common services offered
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Information and orientation | Cantonal rules, registration procedures, tax and AVS basics, permit questions |
| Multilingual reception | Counseling in French, German, Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, Thai depending on the organization |
| Health services | STI testing (often free or reduced), gynecological care, mental health support, harm reduction supplies |
| Legal counseling | Permit issues, contract review (agencies, salons), recourse after violations, complaints to authorities |
| Crisis support | Violence, trafficking, urgent housing, referral to LAVI victim aid services |
| Outreach | Field workers visiting salons, street locations, hotels to bring information directly to workers |
| Accompaniment | Going with you to police stations, tax offices, BTPI registrations, medical appointments |
| Anti trafficking specifically | Protected accommodation, witness support, residence permit support for victims, recovery programs |
03Geneva and French Speaking Switzerland
Aspasie Geneva
Founded 1982
What they do
- Reception and counseling for sex workers in Geneva
- Information sessions in 7 languages, mandatory before BTPI registration
- Health prevention, STI testing through partner laboratory
- Legal advice on permits, contracts, complaints
- Outreach in salons and on the street
- Crisis intervention and accompaniment
How to reach them
- Address: 36 rue de Monthoux, 1201 Genève
- Phone: +41 22 732 68 28
- Email: info@aspasie.ch
- Website: aspasie.ch
- Languages: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, Thai
Fleurs de Pavé Lausanne / Vaud
Active since 1996
What they do
- Reception and prevention for sex workers in Vaud
- Outreach in salons, hotels, and street locations in Lausanne
- Information on cantonal LPros rules and registration
- Health prevention, distribution of harm reduction supplies
- Counseling and accompaniment
How to reach them
- Address: rue Saint-Martin 16, 1003 Lausanne
- Phone: +41 21 320 35 87
- Email: info@fleursdepave.ch
- Website: fleursdepave.ch
- Languages: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese
Grisélidis Neuchâtel
Active in Neuchâtel canton
What they do
- Outreach and counseling for sex workers in Neuchâtel
- Information on the LPP (Loi sur la prostitution) and registration with Service de l’emploi
- Health prevention and material distribution
- Support with landlord written consent requirements (specific to Neuchâtel)
How to reach them
- Contact through Aspasie or via the cantonal Service de la santé publique for current details
- Languages: French, with multilingual support through partner organizations
04Zurich and German Speaking Switzerland
FIZ Zurich, national reach
Founded 1985
What they do
- Information and counseling for migrant sex workers across Switzerland
- Specialist on human trafficking (FIZ Makasi program)
- Protected accommodation for trafficking victims
- Permit and residency support
- Legal advice and accompaniment
- Multilingual reception
How to reach them
- Address: Badenerstrasse 134, 8004 Zürich
- Phone (general): +41 44 436 90 00
- Phone (Makasi anti trafficking): +41 44 436 90 00
- Email: contact@fiz-info.ch
- Website: fiz-info.ch
- Languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian
Xenia Bern
Active in Bern canton
What they do
- Counseling and accompaniment for sex workers in Bern
- Information on cantonal LExProst rules and notification procedure
- Health and harm reduction
- Legal advice on permits, contracts, complaints
- Multilingual reception
How to reach them
- Address: Bollwerk 41, 3011 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 311 97 22
- Email: info@xenia-beratung.ch
- Website: xenia-beratung.ch
- Languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Romanian, Hungarian, Thai
Aliena (Basel) Basel
Active in Basel city and region
What they do
- Counseling and outreach for sex workers in Basel
- Information on cantonal regulations
- Health prevention and material distribution
- Crisis support and accompaniment
How to reach them
- Phone: +41 61 681 80 90
- Languages: German, English, multilingual via partners
Verein Lysistrada St. Gallen
Eastern Switzerland
What they do
- Counseling for sex workers in eastern Switzerland (St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell)
- Outreach in salons and hotels
- Health prevention
- Information and accompaniment
How to reach them
- Phone: +41 71 222 41 33
- Languages: German, multilingual via partners
05Ticino and Italian Speaking Switzerland
Altra Donna Ticino
Italian speaking Switzerland
What they do
- Reception and counseling for sex workers in Ticino
- Information on cantonal regulations specific to Ticino
- Health prevention
- Multilingual reception adapted to migrant populations in the canton
How to reach them
- Bellinzona, contact via local social services or via FIZ for current details
- Languages: Italian, English, multilingual via partners
06National and Federal Resources
ProCoRé National platform
Federation of organizations
What they do
- National coordination of sex worker support organizations
- Rights advocacy at federal and cantonal levels
- Policy positions on prostitution law reforms
- Information resources, including in multiple languages
- Connecting workers to local member organizations
How to reach them
- Website: procore.ch
- Email: info@procore.ch
- Languages: French, German, Italian, English
SWAN Switzerland Network
Sex Workers Affected by HIV
What they do
- National network focused on health, HIV prevention, and rights
- Connection to international networks (NSWP, ICRSE)
How to reach them
- Through ProCoRé and member organizations
07Violence, Trafficking, and Emergency Support
For immediate danger, call 117 (police), 144 (medical emergency), or 118 (fire/rescue). For listening support 24/7, 143 (La Main Tendue).
FIZ Makasi
National. Specialist anti trafficking program with protected accommodation.
Centres LAVI
Federal aid for victims of crime. Free legal and psychological support across all cantons.
Solidarité Femmes
National network. Support for women experiencing violence, including emergency housing.
Act212
Federal hotline for trafficking and labor exploitation. Anonymous, multilingual.
La Main Tendue 143
24/7 listening service, anonymous, free.
Pro Juventute 147
For anyone under 25 in crisis. Anonymous and free.
08Health and STI Testing Services
Checkpoint Geneva
STI testing, PrEP, sexual health. LGBTIQ+ friendly. Sex worker friendly.
Checkpoint Zurich
STI testing, PrEP, sexual health.
Aspasie partner laboratory
Geneva. Reduced rate STI testing for registered sex workers.
Groupe Sida Genève
HIV prevention, testing, counseling. Free in many cases.
PROFA
Vaud. Sexual and reproductive health. Counseling and testing.
Aide Suisse contre le Sida
National. HIV and STI information, testing referrals.
For more on practical health protocols, see our companion article on health and hygiene standards for sex workers.
09Legal Aid and Complaint Support
Centres LAVI
Federal victim aid centres in every canton. Free legal counsel.
Caritas legal aid
Free or reduced legal counseling for migrants. Multiple cantons.
CSP (Centre Social Protestant)
Legal counseling and social support. Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Bern, Jura.
Bar associations free hours
Most cantonal bars offer free initial legal consultations once per week.
10If You Are Reaching Out for the First Time
The first contact with a support organization is often the hardest. A few practical points that may help.
What to expect
- Your call or visit is confidential. Information is not shared with police, tax authorities, immigration, or anyone else without your consent.
- You will be asked basic questions to understand your situation: which canton, what kind of activity, how long you have been working, what specifically brings you in contact today.
- The conversation moves at your pace. You don’t have to share everything at once.
- Counselors are not police, not tax officers, not judges. They have years of experience with situations like yours.
- Most organizations have multilingual staff. If your strongest language is not the canton’s main language, ask which days the right language is available.
What to bring or have ready
For practical questions (registration, permits, contracts), it helps to have:
- Your residence permit or proof of EU/EFTA citizenship
- The contract or agreement you have questions about, if any
- Notes on dates and amounts if the question involves money
For crisis situations or violence, no preparation is necessary. Just call.
What you don’t have to do
You don’t have to leave the activity. You don’t have to register if you are not ready. You don’t have to file a complaint. You don’t have to make any decision in the first conversation. The organization meets you where you are.
11Frequently Asked Questions
Are these services really free?
Most are entirely free. Some health services charge reduced rates that are far below market price. The federal LAVI centres are free for victims of crime. Cantonal bar association free hours are free for an initial consultation.
Are these services confidential?
Yes. Information shared with these organizations is protected by professional confidentiality. Exceptions exist only for situations involving immediate danger to life or for specific reporting obligations (mainly involving minors), and even those are narrow.
Will calling them put me on a list?
No. The organizations do not share information with cantonal prostitution registries, with tax authorities, or with immigration. They may keep their own internal records to follow your situation if you continue contact, but those records are not transmitted.
What if my situation involves illegal status or no work permit?
The organizations work with people in irregular situations regularly. They are aware of the legal complexities and can advise on safe paths. They are not obligated to denounce you and they will not.
Can I bring a friend with me?
Yes, in most cases. Many organizations welcome accompanying persons. Mention this when you make the appointment.
Do they help men who do sex work as well?
Yes. While many organizations were founded around supporting women, most now serve all sex workers regardless of gender. Some, like Checkpoint, specifically work with the LGBTIQ+ community.
What if I just have a small question?
Small questions are exactly what these services are for. You don’t need a crisis to call. Most organizations have anonymous information lines for quick questions, and a brief phone call costs nothing.
What if I don’t speak the local language well?
Most organizations have staff in multiple languages, often including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Thai, Hungarian, Romanian. Call and ask which day a counselor in your language is available. If they cannot help in your language, they can usually refer you to an organization that can.
Disclaimer: Contact details and addresses are accurate as of the publication date but evolve over time. Always verify current contact information through the organization’s website before visiting in person. The list above is not exhaustive. Smaller cantonal services and grassroots networks exist alongside the named organizations.
Last updated: May 2026
