Alabaster Jar: Against Sexual Exploitation
Help for women in prostitution
The need on our doorstep
One of the greatest human injustices is happening right on our doorstep: since 2002, prostitution has been legal in Germany, and pimps are allowed to keep up to 50 percent of the income. According to the 2024 Federal Situation Report on Human Trafficking and Exploitation, 32,300 people are registered as being in prostitution. The unreported number is, however, far higher. Germany is a hub for human trafficking and is often referred to in the media as the “brothel of Europe.” The level of coercion and exploitation is severe. Victims are frequently under massive pressure—through violence or threats against themselves or their families. Particularly at risk are women who have little access to help, for example due to language barriers, mental health challenges, or drug dependency. Many women also experience poverty, abuse, physical and psychological strain, and social exclusion. We want to respond to this unspeakable need.
Why we help
We believe that God is especially concerned for people on the margins of society—for those who are oppressed, exploited, or overlooked. Through our work, we want to be a sign of justice and of God’s love. We are convinced that if Jesus were here today, he would be found right among the women on the streets, in strip clubs, and in brothels.
Alabaster Jar exists to show these women the unconditional, transforming love of God. As Patricia Green, the founder of Alabaster Jar, says: “We want the dignity of the women on the streets of Berlin to be restored. They are women loved by God and deserve our respect.”
How we help
Key elements of our work & concrete steps
Donate a Hope Box
Bring hope and joy through your giving
This year, we’re bringing the hope and joy of Christmas back to the streets—to the women who hold a special place in our hearts! We’re sharing this joy through Hope Boxes, gifts for women trapped in forced prostitution.
Put together your own Hope Box and show a woman that she is loved and valued.
Here’s how it works: Click the button and fill out the form to take part in the Hope Box campaign.
If you’re unable to put together a gift yourself, you can sponsor a Hope Box with a donation of 40 Euro, and we’ll pack one on your behalf.
Last year, we were able to bless almost 100 women in Berlin’s red-light district with a beautiful, lovingly wrapped Hope Box. Not a single woman left our Christmas outreach without a gift and a big smile on her face.
Read on our blog to learn more about how we distribute the Hope Boxes.
The path into prostitution
And why getting out is so difficult
What about voluntary prostitution?
In public discourse, a distinction is often made between voluntary prostitution (often referred to as “sex work”) and forced prostitution. Based on our experience, we can say that the transition from voluntary prostitution to situations involving coercion and violence is very often fluid.
Is it truly voluntary
- when a woman turns to prostitution out of poverty in order to support her family?
- • when she was sexually abused as a child and now believes that her only value lies in being used for sex?
- when she is manipulated through the so-called “loverboy” method*?
- when she has been traumatized by experiences of violence within the milieu?
Even women who initially enter prostitution independently and “voluntarily” often end up experiencing violence, coercion and exploitation at some point.
* The “Loverboy” method involves faking a romantic relationship, which we described here in Ana's case (only available in german).
Figures & facts
➡️200,000–400,000 is the estimated unreported number of affected women
➡️approx. 90 % of women are trapped in prostitution
➡️83 % of women have experienced at least one traumatic event
➡️61 % of women have experienced physical violence or rape
➡️89 % of women urgently need a way out
“Sometimes you believe you are no longer a human being. In prostitution you have been dehumanized. You feel injured, torn apart, and devalued.”
Get involved
Volunteering with Alabaster Jar
There are many ways to get involved in our work as a volunteer. Help us change lives and restore dignity to women in Berlin’s red-light district. The Alabaster Jar team consists of staff members and volunteers from different countries, churches, communities, professions, and age groups.
Our outreach activities take place exclusively in Berlin. Therefore, volunteers for the outreach and prayer teams should live near Berlin and be at least 21 years old.
The outreach team is made up exclusively of women, while men can serve on the prayer team or support the ministry behind the scenes.
For behind-the-scenes support, it is not necessary to live in Berlin, and there is no fixed age requirement (parental consent may be required in some cases).
You enable a meeting over a cup of coffee with a woman in prostitution and two volunteers.
Spenden
They support special activities, such as accompanying women to medical appointments, organizing and conducting Bible study sessions, or hosting events like game afternoons.
Spenden
You sponsor an outreach at a brothel in Berlin, where our team comes into contact with the women.
SpendenFurther information
Would you like to learn more about Alabaster Jar or is it on your heart to pray for this ministry?
Your contact person
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