Sex for sale, but at what cost
The Dutch are known for their practicality, open-mindedness and business sense and when this is combined with today's lax society, it culminates into a culture that attracts thrill-seeking tourists thirsting after commercialized sex and soft drugs. From massage parlours to window prostitutes, brothels to ‘fruit performers’, live sex shows to ‘smart shops’ who openly trade in marijuana, the red light district of Amsterdam has it all.
Since being labelled a legal profession in 1988, the Dutch have installed a number of support mechanisms to maintain the health and social responsibility of their prostitutes who undergo mandatory AIDS testing every three months. Brothels and sex clubs are also regularly inspected. So, what has changed? How safe is the sex on sale?
Mariska Majoor, a former window prostitute, and founder of the
“Brothels have to conform to the same rules which apply to any business. The government is hoping to control prostitution and stop the exploitation of minors and illegal immigrants. As prostitution is now officially labeled freelance work, which tax officials have taken a keen interested in, prostitutes are recognized as ‘employed’ and as such can apply for bank loans. However, none have been successful in their loan applications.”
The rules the government have imposed are considered ladened with self interest.
“The rules and regulations are only beneficial to the Government, like the taxes we pay. Surely we should also derive some form of benefit from this," she said.
It seems that all these working girls have accomplished is swap one pimp for another.
Labels: Amsterdam, Dutch, Netherlands, smart shops, window prostitutes
posted by Cindy-Lou Dale @ Friday, August 03, 2007
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