Though inhabited by more than a quarter million people it appears to be a small town due to infrastructure, culture and "spirit". Prostitution in Germany is legal , and so are brothels. In , the government changed the law in an effort to improve the legal situation of prostitutes. However, the social stigmatization of prostitutes persists and many prostitutes continue to lead a double life. Authorities consider the common exploitation of women from Eastern Europe to be the main problem associated with the profession.
Documentary-makers in Germany have claimed that legalising prostitution has turned the country's capital Berlin into World biggest brothel. Sex trade laws were radically liberalised by the German government in but a documentary called Sex - Made In Germany estimates that over one million men pay for sex every day.
Laws were originally relaxed in the hope that they would offer a degree of protection to prostitutes who now have access to the basic things like health insurance and benefits.
But more than a decade on the changes in the law have brought criticism from those who claim that they have simply made it easier for traffickers to force foreign girls into prostitution, according to The Guardian.
According to public services union Ver. Roshan Heiler, head of counselling at the Aachen branch of women's rights organisation Solwodi, is unsurprised by the numbers of guys paying for sex because it is so cheap and they won't get prosecuted.
