A converted vehicle has been designed to act as a sanctuary for Danish sex workers at risk of violence and exploitation. Michael Lodberg Olsen rests his buttocks on the board that serves as a bed in Sexelance, his mobile sanctuary for street sex workers, and begins rocking back and forth, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Lodberg Olsen, a self-described social entrepreneur, brings a dash of humour to his projects. A notice inside informs prostitutes that volunteers will call the police at the first sign of violence and encourages them to make contact if they are victims of human trafficking. Passersby peer in. A drunk clutching a can of Carlsberg rolls up and is shown the lubrication dispenser and tray of condoms, which come as oral, normal or extra large.
Come on! Are you laughing at me? Some people is crazy, some people speak very bad. If you made a place with rooms instead, of course the customers would go there.
People in Copenhagen have learned not to underestimate Lodberg Olsen. There are now five permanent facilities across the country and the original vehicle is exhibited at the National Museum of Denmark. While Denmark legalised buying and selling sex in , it is still illegal to profit from other people selling sex, making it difficult for sex workers to rent premises, or employ drivers or security.
Street Lawyers, a Copenhagen charity, has checked that Sexelance is doing nothing against the law. The purpose is harm reduction and to provide information. The hard board, which is too short to lie down on, was modelled on the bonnet of a Fiat Punto. This has got to be compared to a car or a telephone box. Soon he hopes to have a generator and a small heater.
