"When People Become Commodities"

Julia Wege has been a professor in the Department of Social Work, Health, and Nursing at RWU since 2021. In 2024, she served as a consultant for the production of the NDR crime drama “Polizeiruf 110: Sie haben Namen.” as an expert on the intricacies of the red-light district.

The episode will air on November 1 at 8:15 p.m. and can be viewed via the ARD media library.

Victoria Dimeo: How did you come to be involved in the production of “Polizeiruf 110: Sie haben Namen,” and what exactly did you do there?

Professor Dr. Julia Wege: Florian Oeller, who writes screenplays for “Tatort” and “Polizeiruf,” among other shows, contacted me because he was researching the topic of prostitution and came across my doctoral dissertation. For my dissertation, I had conducted interviews with women in prostitution. He asked me if we could talk on the phone, and that turned into a two-hour conversation. Afterward, he sent me the draft of his screenplay.

What happened next?

I provided feedback on specific parts of the screenplay and backed up all my comments with sources, studies, and statistics. This allowed me to support the writing, because many aspects of the background of the sex industry are often met with skepticism. Florian Oeller then suggested to the NDR that I take on the role of subject matter expert for the production. I subsequently received the official assignment to serve as the point of contact for the director, the producer, and the actors. My main task, however, was to write an expert assessment of the screenplay. I had to evaluate all the scenes in terms of dialogue and plot details. Does it make sense? Is it too exaggerated? Is it realistic? What are the conversations like among the women? I’ve been supporting the production for almost two years, starting in 2022.

Can you give an example of such details in the content?

For example, many of the women are “branded” by their pimps. That means they have a tattoo that identifies which pimp they belong to. It functions like a label, turning a person into a commodity. I then had to check with the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) again to see if, for example, there’s some kind of tattoo registry.

What was your highlight during filming?

The highlight on set was the conversations with the two actresses, Anneke Kim Sarnau and Lina Beckmann, who play detectives Katrin König and Melly Böwe. They talked about how they prepared for the role. They found it moving and dramatic to tackle this taboo subject. And they were also genuinely upset because political leaders and society as a whole need to take a much stronger stance on the issue. I’m delighted—and proud—that I was asked to contribute my professional expertise to the episode.

Were you still involved in the post-production of „Polizeiruf 112“ after filming wrapped up?

No, my involvement ended with the shoot in Hamburg.

What kind of response do you hope to see after the broadcast? Have you noticed any reactions yet?

I hope the film sparks a broad societal debate about prostitution, violence, and sexual exploitation. Many people still have a distorted view of the realities of life for the women affected. “Polizeiruf 112” offers the chance to reach an audience of millions and raise awareness of this issue. It would be particularly important to me if this also led to political discussions and concrete changes.

Where can people find more information or get involved?

Specialized counseling centers are a good place to start, such as the Counseling Center Amalie in Mannheim, which I founded in 2012. In Ravensburg and Friedrichshafen, there’s also Arkade e. V. Nationwide, the Koordinierungskreis gegen Menschenhandel and Terre des Femmes provide reliable information. I also recommend looking into counseling centers and initiatives in your own city. There, you can often get involved through volunteering, donations, or public outreach.

Do your experiences from specialized counseling inform your teaching at RWU?

Of course. The connection between academia and practice is a central component of my teaching. I want to convey to students that social work can drive social change far beyond traditional fields of practice.