Young refugees pushed into prostitution in Germany

Security workers at Berlin's refugee accommodation centers are pushing young refugees into prostitution, public broadcaster ZDF reported on Tuesday.

Social workers, refugees and security company insiders told the German-language "Frontal 21" program that security employees were even pimping out minors as part of a prostitution ring.

The guards reportedly meet with young refugees and convince them to take up prostitution, earning a commission for each liaison. The guards targeted young, male refugees for the high prices they earned when selling their bodies.

"They need to be of a certain age, attractive. From 16 years and up; the younger they are, the more expensive they are," a security guard told the program.

One guard told the broadcaster he earns €20 ($24) for each prostitution referral.

Desperate for money

The statements were corroborated by several refugees in the center. A 20-year-old male Afghan asylum seeker, whose refugee application was rejected, said a security guard approached him with an offer.

"Want to do business? Earn money," he was reportedly asked. "The security guard told me you get €30 for sex with a woman, maybe €40." He said he was ashamed of what he had to do, but that he had to earn money.

A social worker at a refugee home in Berlin Wilmersdorf said she had been monitoring the dealings of security guards with the refugees. She told ZDF she saw a guard give money to residents. When she mentioned it to the home's residents, the prostitution and pimping were confirmed, including among minors.

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