Das Joy House Club-Interview

There is a never-ending stereotype of inaccurate and subjective information about the working conditions of sex workers in the Swiss and German media. In this context, and as part of a more comprehensive report that we at myLadies (report to follow shortly) in order to refute such allegations, we contacted the Joy House, which is located in Rothrist and Waltenschwil in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland, and asked about the working conditions, regulations and measures for the protection of sex workers and whether it actually happens or is even common practice that documents are withheld or cases of human trafficking for sexual exploitation are known.

The answers that Joy House gave us are very revealing. We invite you to read this interview without preconceptions to get a better understanding of how the sexual services business works in Switzerland.

Question: Are strict and regular checks carried out in Switzerland?

Joy House: Yes, we are regularly checked by the police. They check responsibility, employment relationships and authorisations for work, such as ID and work permits.

Q: Are the women in your club registered or not? Do the police have an overview of who is working and where?

Joy House: All women are registered with us for erotic services or have a work permit. Only Swiss men and women do not have to be registered.

Q: How do the sex workers come to you or how do they find their way to your club?

Joy House: Most of the ladies come recommended by friends or they simply write to us.

They see our studios on the internet and contact us directly.

Q: How do you work with the sex workers in your club or studio?

Joy House: The women have their own room to work and sleep in. There is a kitchen for cooking, a separate terrace or a garden - for smokers, for example. Smoking is not permitted in the house itself. We provide the women with everything they need to work. A receptionist looks after the telephone and also welcomes guests.

Q: What measures do you take to offer the women a safe and pleasant working environment?

Joy House: We have normal opening hours. A regulated rest period for relaxation is immensely important. Access to the house is monitored by camera. We don't receive groups of men, we don't receive guests who are drunk or under the influence of drugs, the women can generally refuse guests, there are separate rooms where everything they need for work is available and a cosy break room. We provide mineral water and coffee/tea and pay attention to hygiene and cleanliness.

Q : Is it true that the women's passports or ID cards are withdrawn? Is this because the women ask for them and you have them all to hand in the event of a check or do you do this to keep the ladies loyal to you? And is it really the case that you keep a large part of their turnover?

Joy House: Not at all, and that applies to both questions. We run legal brothels and have never had a licence revoked. And as far as turnover is concerned, we don't take a percentage of the ladies' turnover. The ladies can always keep their money. We receive a fixed amount for the use of our premises, staff (housekeeper) and for our entire "logistics". We organise the advertising, support the women with out-of-home appointments and have worked hard to make our house one of the most lucrative places to work. That's why we have so many enquiries from ladies.

Q : Do you have a dress code for work?

Joy House: No, the ladies have a free choice and can wear anything they find sexy and like to wear.

With us, the ladies don't have to present themselves to the guests "like in a zoo" ¹as I recently read, shaking my head. This comparison with the animal world alone is so primitive and once again confirms the bias towards our industry. When guests come to us without a fixed date and don't have a desired lady, we offer both the guest and the women the opportunity to get to know each other briefly and to weigh up whether the chemistry is right. This is also the most normal thing in the free economy, that a company or self-employed person introduces themselves when applying for a contract. (Source: ¹ In theweb of human traffickers by Henry Habegger)

Q : Do you serve alcoholic drinks to the guests in your club and do the ladies regularly consume as well?

Joy House: No, we are a studio without a bar, which means we don't sell (alcoholic) drinks and the ladies are generally prohibited from drinking alcohol. What the women do in their free time and outside the house is of course none of our business.

Q : What measures do you take to ensure the safety of the ladies and staff?

Joy House: We are a studio similar to a hairdressing, beauty or massage parlour. Our guests appreciate cleanliness and discretion. We don't pay protection money, we don't have women supplied to us (human trafficking) and we haven't had any such incidents. Brothel security or emergency call systems, as prescribed by the Prostitute Protection Act in Germany, certainly make a good impression, but are completely excessive here in Switzerland.

We work with a housekeeper who is always on site during opening hours. This, and the fact that there are always several women working for us, means that one lady is never completely alone.
This sense of togetherness also strengthens the feeling of security. As I told you before, we also have cameras that have a preventative effect against burglaries and robberies. And then, of course, we rely on the local police, who we don't see as an enemy but as a friend.
And if you mean safety in connection with health, then I can tell you without compromise that we insist on the responsible use of condoms during sexual intercourse. We provide lubricants, condoms and hygiene products.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Joy House for their willingness to conduct this interview with us.

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