Services4SexWorkers
Salute e Servizi: Articoli sulla prevenzione
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EU CITIZENS WHO WORK ON THE ROAD
There have been some recent changes in the Italian law concerning foreign citizens including EU citizens and people who prostitute themselves on the road. It is important to know these laws in order to protect oneself and to know one’s rights and obligations.

ROADSIDE PROSTITUTION

There is a proposal to issue a law in order to prohibit prostitution on the road. This proposal is not yet a law. So, prostitution on the road has not yet been prohibited.
 However, mayors in several Italian cities have issued bylaws that prohibit indecent dressing, soliciting of clients (talking to men or stopping by their cars), stopping near churches, public buildings and residence areas. Whoever commits one of the above will be fined a minimum of 80,000 to 500,00 euros.

If you are fined and you think you have respected the law, you have the right to demand the annulment of the fine with the aid of a lawyer or personally within 60 days by going to the Giudice di Pace, i.e. a judge who acts as a mediator and protects citizen’s rights and helps them when they have problems. In Trieste, you can call 040 77921632 to take an appointment with the judge in via Coroneo 13. Or you can call the omitato per i Doriti Civili delle Prostitute 0434 551868.
IDENTIFICATION, PAPER CHECK AND HOLDING for QUESTIONING  
The law force order, i.e. the police, the carabinieri, soldiers or the municipal police can stop you and ask you to identify yourself (name, surname, place and date of birth) and show your papers.
 In particular, according to the new bylaws issued by  mayors in some cities, the municipal police has the duty to grant and ensure public safety and security. You can be accused of public indecency for your dressing or place of work and given a fine. Mayors in the following cities have issued bylaws sanctioning clients and sex workers: Montecatini, Salerno, Vicenza, Viareggio and several municipalities in the region of Abruzzo and Campania (Caserta).

If you refuse to give your identify (name, surname, place and date of birth) or do not show your identity card, the law force order can oblige you to follow them to their office. The same thing happens if they have sufficient proof to believe that your identity and the documents you have shown are false.
 You may be forced to stay in the police station, commando or barracks for identification, fingerprints and photo taking for a maximum of 24 hours. In case you are stopped or arrested you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
VERIFICATION OF YOUR PRESENCE IN ITALY
 According to the law, you can stay in Italy after the first three months of your arrival on condition that you register your presence at the Municipal office in which you live. You must be able to prove that you have a house and sufficient income before registering.   
 In case the law force order stops you and you are unable to prove that you have been in Italy for less than three months (you can do so by going to the nearest police station within three months after your arrival on the Italian soil), it will assume that you have been present for more months.
In this case, you can be sent away and invited to leave the country within a number of days which can not be less than 30 days. You can appeal against the order to leave the country within 20 days.
If you respect the order to leave the country and go back to your country within the deadline, you must go to the Italian Embassy in order to prove that you returned to your country.
If the law force order stops you a second time and discover that you are still on the Italian soil, you can be given a penal sanction. You can also be sent away for security reasons and public order. 
  

PRACTICAL ADVICE
 Always give your true identity if the law force order asks you to identify yourself. Giving false identity will not prevent them from verifying if you have been previously checked due to fingerprints and photo taking procedures.
 In addition, the law has been modified and giving false identity is now a serious crime. You can be arrested and given a high sentence.
 Minors (under 18 years)are entitled to receive protection. The best advice is always to tell your true age.
 If you have to go to hospital or need medical check-up, remember that you have the right to receive essential and urgent treatment, among which pregnancy or abortion.
 Remember that in some cities the municipal police can fine you only because you have little clothes on. Avoid staying naked or dressing lightly at work (short skirts, little tops, bra, pant, panty hoses).
 Do not make too much noise on the road. Do not leave dirt on the road (food, condom, tissue paper, etc.)