re(ad)dress

Checkpoint Carinthia notes that there are approximately 400 sex workers in Carinthia. These individuals may be seeking a career change like anyone else, but face unique challenges with limited access to counselling and fewer opportunities. Obstacles such as insufficient education, language barriers, residency issues and housing problems further complicate their transition. 

"re(ad)dress - Einstieg in den Umstieg" is a scientifically supported initiative for the professional reorientation of (former) sex workers. It offers further formal education, comprehensive social support and counselling, housing assistance when needed, and accessible work trials, all designed to open up new opportunities for them. 

The "re(ad)dress - Einstieg in den Umstieg" project is supported by Diakonie de La Tour and Checkpoint Kärnten, with co-financing from the European Union and the Carinthian government. Scientific support is provided by the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences. 

The project aims to provide a new professional perspective for a highly vulnerable group that is often overlooked in terms of financial and social support due to challenges such as residency rules, social structures and stigma. 

The project's concept is adaptable to other regions where there's a clear need for support structures for (former) sex workers. These individuals are often marginalised from social services, formal education, paid courses and access to housing, highlighting the universal need for such initiatives.