Ferrara Municipality launches socio-sanitary prevention program for sex workers

The Municipality of Ferrara has issued a public notice to invite interest in co-designing socio-sanitary prevention actions. These initiatives, titled ‘OLS/Riduzione del danno’ and ‘Invisibile’, are part of a long-standing program active since 1996 aimed at supporting sex workers both on the street and in indoor settings.

The program utilizes trained street workers to establish contact with sex workers to promote awareness regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and to emphasize the importance of health protection. The municipality noted that prostitution presents a public health challenge, as individuals—particularly those in irregular status—often face social, legal, linguistic, and cultural barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Beyond health screenings, the project aims to create trust and provide pathways to exit exploitative conditions, including human trafficking. For those working indoors, outreach workers use phone calls and social media to offer medical assistance and screenings to reduce high-risk behaviors.