Netherlands: Regulating Red Light Districts

The Dutch are trying to figure out how to regulate prostitution. Ten months ago the Netherlands legalized brothels.

1 minute read

August 13, 2001, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Prostitution has long been legal in the Netherlands, but now the nation is trying to invent a system to regulate the industry. Ten months ago it legalized brothels. The new law is intended to help the police get a grip on the often suspicious world of prostitution, basically a cash business that the police say is often used for money laundering, arms sales, drug sales and the often brutal exploitation of prostitutes, including minors and illegal immigrants."

Thanks to Tom Collins

Sunday, August 12, 2001 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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