Switzerland has launched a novel experiment to make prostitution safer: publicly funded drive-in “sex boxes”.
The teak-coloured wooden garages will be open for business from Monday for drive-in customers in a country where prostitution has been legal since 1942. The several dozen sex workers who are expected to use them will stand along a short road in a small, circular park where they can negotiate with clients. The park was built in a former industrial area nestled between a rail yard and the fence along a major highway.
The publicly funded facilities – away from the city centre and open all night – include bathrooms, lockers, small cafe tables and a laundry and shower. Men won’t have to worry about video surveillance cameras, but the sex workers – who will need a permit and pay a small tax – will have a panic button and on-site social workers trained to look after them….
Is the small crowd a group of watchers? Adjudicators? Do they clap (ha ha clap) or boo? Or perhaps hold up score cards afterwards like for ice skating?