Erobella is a European website for erotic classified advertisements. The platform is primarily used by sex workers, massage studios, dominatrices, and brothels to advertise services, and it operates in Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Australia, and Italy. German newspapers such as Die Welt[1] and Bild have described it as one of the main online portals for erotic advertising in Germany.[2]
History
Erobella was founded in 2005. The website originally operated exclusively in German-speaking markets but has expanded in 2023 to the UK, Australia and Italy, allowing registered users in these countries to publish classified listings related to erotic services.[3] Its stated headquarters are located in Amsterdam, Netherlands.[4]
Erobella has published surveys and participated in discussions related to the conditions of sex workers in Germany. In 2024, it collaborated with the German sex workers’ association BSeD (Berufsverband erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen) on a national survey titled Sex Work Well-Being Survey.[5] The results were covered by national media, including Welt, which reported that many respondents described their physical health positively while noting concerns about stigma and mental well-being.[1] Bild summarized additional findings, including respondents’ calls for greater protection against violence and interest in self-defense training.[2]
The broader policy debate on sex work in Germany, including references to Erobella’s data and industry initiatives – was reflected in the 2025 federal evaluation of the Prostituiertenschutzgesetz (Prostitutes Protection Act), published by the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ).[6]
The report has been cited in parliamentary documentation and regional discussions around sex work legislation in Germany.[7]
Events and public engagement
In 2024, Erobella organized a International Sex Workers’ Rights Day Meetup in Cologne.[8] The company has also appeared in academic contexts, including being listed in the program of the Beyond the Interface conference at York University[9] and a lecture event at the University of Warwick.[10]
In September 2025, Erobella’s Head of Data & Research, Brenda M. Jensen, co-authored a major report on the scale of sex work in the United Kingdom. The research was a collaboration with Green Party peer Natalie Bennett. The study estimated the UK sex worker population at approximately 102,000 and documented a shift toward online platforms.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b “Meine Arbeit als Sexarbeiterin macht das normale Dating praktisch unmöglich”. Die Welt (in German). 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b “Warum wir es machen, wann wir Angst haben”. Bild (in German). January 2024.
- ^ Sharan, Meghna (8 February 2025). “Adult website invites Ange Postecoglou to work for them — they believe he’s an expert in ONE thing”. Tribuna.com.
- ^ Petar, Stephan (10 July 2025). “New Research Finds Vancouver Is Canada’s Most Sexually Liberal City”. IN Magazine.
- ^ “Erobellas Umfrage zum Wohlbefinden von Sexarbeiterinnen”. Berufsverband erotische und sexuelle Dienstleistungen (in German).
- ^ “Evaluation Prostituiertenschutzgesetz – Abschlussbericht” (PDF). Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) (in German). 2024.
- ^ “International Sex Workers’ Rights Day Meetup – Erobella Community Berlin on 03.02.2023 in Köln – Rausgegangen”. Rausgegangen.de.
- ^ Stickelmann, Elena (3 March 2024). “Prostitutionsverbot nach Nordischem Modell: Sexarbeit in Deutschland – regulieren oder verbieten?”. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (in German).
- ^ “Beyond the Interface – Conference Program” (PDF). York University. October 2024.
- ^ “Erobella an der Universität von Warwick!”. University of Warwick.
- ^ Weitzer, Ronald; Bennett, Natalie; Jensen, Brenda; Macioti, P.G.; Yang, Tingzhong; Kiki, Gbètogo Maxime; Shave, Frances M. (2025). “Estimating the Total Number of Sex Workers in the United Kingdom: A Comprehensive Analysis and 2025 Projection”. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.5509959.