What is The Red Van?
The Red Van - a safety tool for the local sex worker in Copenhagen
When some people go to work, they might be frustrated in their car with the endless roadworks, others are tired of their monotonous lunch schedule, and some find it difficult to have a mouse conversation with a boss they don't like. But there are also those who have a job where these frustrations can't happen - because they don't have fixed hours, a fixed place to work or basic labor rights to protect them. These workers are sex workers - and that's where The Red Van comes in.
The Red Van was founded in 2016 as a volunteer-based, non-profit organization. Their mission is to give street-based sex workers and vendors in Copenhagen a safer place to work and reduce their risk of unpleasant experiences by providing their red van.
This blog post will give you a greater insight into who The Red Van is, who they help and why, and how you can help support their work.
Who is The Red Van - and what do they do?
The Red Van is a community made up of a wide range of volunteers and staff from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds. It includes everything from students, academics, psychologists and healthcare professionals to creative minds, social workers and street outreach workers.
The Red Van is structured as an association, there is a chairperson, vice-chairperson, a treasurer, etc. You can see The Red Van's statutes here.
The Red Van's work and mission
The Red Van works to promote the rights of sex workers and change the public perception of sex work. The Red Van's mission is to ensure better conditions for street-based sex workers. Their van offers a safer, more hygienic and dignified working environment than the streets. Their education efforts focus on reducing stigma and highlighting the importance of self-determination and human rights for sex workers. They emphasize that sex workers should have the same rights and protections as other workers, and are committed to raising awareness of their conditions both politically and through activism.
Although the buying and selling of sex is legal in Denmark, the current legislation leads to unsafe working situations and increased vulnerability. The Red Van supports the sex worker movement's demand for full decriminalization and urges politicians to take the recommendations of sex workers and experts seriously and create legislation that ensures the rights and safety of sex workers - based on facts, not personal morality.
They also offer presentations and workshops for educational institutions, professionals, politicians, think tanks, colleges etc. You can book their presentations here.
The Red Van
Every weekend, The Red Van provides a red van with a bed for sex workers in Copenhagen to use with their clients. This ensures safer, more hygienic and dignified conditions than the streets can otherwise offer and allows sex workers to maintain control of the situation. The van is open from 00:00 - 05:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, ready with condoms and hot coffee, while being monitored by volunteers.
Figures for 2024:
The Red Van was present 77 evenings/nights in Copenhagen. The van was used 785 times.
Harm reduction
At The Red Van, harm reduction is used as a central part of the work with street-based sex workers. Harm reduction is about reducing risks for people in vulnerable situations without requiring them to change their behavior. The Red Van uses harm reduction to support street-based sex workers by de-escalating violence, offering practical support, showing presence and ensuring better working conditions. Harm reduction means recognizing people's reality and supporting them without judgment.
Why does The Red Van exist?
Street-based sex workers work in unsafe conditions with no rights. Laws, especially the Rufferi Penal Code, prevent sex workers from organizing and force many to ally with people willing to break the law. This increases sex workers' risk of violence and exploitation. At the same time, social stigma makes it difficult for many to access health and social services, further exacerbating the situation of sex workers and depriving them of control over their working conditions.
Who supports The Red Van and how can you support?
The Red Van is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization and therefore needs outside financial help to be able to drive around the streets of Copenhagen. In 2023, they received their first grant from the City of Copenhagen and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing. This, along with other collaborations, enabled them to improve their services to sex workers and strengthen their organization. However, they still need all the support they can get. You can support through donations, your volunteering and/or by purchasing The Red Vans merchandise - you can buy Red Vans T-shirts, tote bags and other merch right here.
Since 2021, Peech has worked closely with The Red Van through customer donations, merch sales and a series of events from talks to pop ups.
All proceeds are used to support The Red Van's harm reduction services for street sex workers, including maintaining the van, purchasing supplies for the sex workers and the general running of the organization. Donate here or shop.
As a night shift volunteer, you'll oversee the van, communicate with users and ensure the night runs smoothly. You open, prepare and close the van and offer condoms, coffee and tea. After the shift, the van is parked safely. Volunteers commit to one night shift per month. The work can be cold and challenging, but also rewarding. To be a volunteer, you need to be able to handle stressful situations and many volunteers are trained in first aid and conflict management. Night shifts are from 00:00 to 05:00 Thursday-Saturday. In addition to night shifts, monthly volunteer meetings, quarterly training weekends and other social events are held.
Apply here if you're interested.
Want to read up on our Peech Journal? Read about what shadowban is, right here.