Last Updated on August 13, 2024 by Thomas Schumacher
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung has published a longform interview with Sister Ariane and Pastor Wolf. Through their association Incontro, they have dedicated their lives to helping the city’s poor and marginalized, particularly in the Langstrasse area, a district known for its mix of office buildings, brothels, and a diverse population of people facing hardship.
Powerty in one of the richest city in the World
Every day, hundreds of people, including migrant workers, refugees, and those struggling with the high cost of living in Zurich, line up for food distributed by Incontro. Many of these individuals are in dire situations—homeless, jobless, and often without legal status, making it nearly impossible for them to find work or stable housing.
The food distribution, or “Mensa under the open sky,” as it’s affectionately known, has become a symbol of the hidden poverty in Zurich, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenges for many. The food they distribute is sourced from restaurants and supermarkets that would otherwise discard it, transforming what would be waste into a vital resource for those in need. Among the recipients are not only the visibly poor but also those who, at first glance, may not appear to need help—dressed in decent clothes but still struggling to make ends meet.
Support for sex workers
In addition to providing food, Sister Ariane and Pastor Karl are deeply involved in supporting the sex workers of Langstrasse. This area is the heart of Zurich’s red-light district, where women from all over the world, often trafficked or lured under false pretenses, work under harsh and exploitative conditions. Many of these women, coming from countries like South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe, live in constant fear and face significant trauma. Sister Ariane speaks candidly about the reality these women face, noting that without the elements of human trafficking and pimping, the sex trade in Zurich would almost disappear.
Every week, the Incontro team visits the brothels, offering the women hygiene products and fresh fruit, and they provide a listening ear and a moment of human connection. The women, often young and new to the city, express their desperation, struggling with addiction, exploitation, and the harsh demands of their clients. Many are unable to pay for the overpriced rooms they are forced to rent, leading to a cycle of debt and deeper entrapment in the industry.
Sister Ariane’s personal connection to her work runs deep. Having grown up in Zurich during the height of the city’s drug crisis, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of the marginalized. Her brother, once homeless and battling addiction, now lives a stable life, but his experiences have profoundly shaped her understanding of those she helps today.
Human trafficking causes many problems in the sex industry
Over the years, we have published many stories where human traffickers were involved. These criminals cause serious problems in the sex industry of the DACH countries, even in Austria, where there are many safe and reputable brothels.
Refugees in Austria, especially Nigerian women, were forced into sex work by human trafficking networks. These women were deceived with false promises and smuggled into the country, where they were coerced into prostitution under threats, including voodoo rituals. Despite the efforts of Austrian authorities to rescue and support these victims, many remain traumatized and struggle to rebuild their lives: Refugees in Austria forced into sex work
A Nigerian woman spent six years trapped in Austria’s red-light district, where she was forced into sex work through a trafficking network. Deceived by promises of a better life, she endured years of exploitation and abuse under constant threats and manipulation. Her experience sheds light on the brutal realities of human trafficking in Europe, where victims often face severe psychological and physical trauma: In the red-light district for six yearsIn the red-light district for six years
A former brothel operator in Lucerne, Switzerland, is facing human trafficking charges. The individual is accused of exploiting women, forcing them into prostitution under coercive and abusive conditions. The investigation revealed that the victims were subjected to harsh control and manipulation: Human trafficking charges against former brothel operator
