I amsterdam - Measures against the exploitation of women in the sex industry

Barrier model
The new approach is based on discouraging or preventing the (potential) exploitation of women by throwing up a range of barriers to those who intend to do so. For example, the council intends to ban pimps from entering the red light district. Pimps will also be forbidden to support prostitutes – whether by accepting money or loitering in the doorways of bordellos – in indicated areas.

New law
Amsterdam intends to introduce new legislation to tackle forced prostitution. The use of force and the exploitation of women in the sex industry are already criminal offences, but the prosecution of offenders is difficult in practice because the victims themselves are required to level charges. Unfortunately, only one in twenty cases is reported to the police. The council is asking the state to adjust legislation to make it an offence to 'enjoy financial benefits directly from a relationship with a prostitute', even in cases where this is with her agreement. This means that it will be illegal to earn money through the activities of prostitutes without performing a service in return, such as hiring a window, mediating with customers or providing security. 

The council is also suggesting another national measure, an increase of the minumum age of prostitutes from 18 to 21. The nature of the profession requires a certain maturity and therefore a higher minimum age, it argues. 

Support  
In addition to these measures aimed at criminality in prostitution, the council also intends to improve support to prostitutes. Among the measures it proposes in this regard is a programme to help prostitutes resist the activities of people involved in human trafficking. This will involve business, health care and psychological aspects. 

Background
The approach suggested by the council is the result of an extensive investigation into prostitution in the city. A number of reports have shown that unacceptable situations still commonly occur in the sex industry. Forced prostitution by human traffickers is an especially serious problem.