White Washing Amsterdam’s Red Light District

© wili hybrid

Amsterdam is all set to clean up its red light district. No need to worry though. They don’t plan to shut the whole thing down. Worried about abuse, trafficking and money laundering, the city simply plans to put better checks in place.

According to Mayor Job Cohen, the city will clamp down on escort agencies and pimps, and raise the minimum age requirement for prostitutes to 21 from the present 18.

The legendary 800-year old district has for centuries been one of the city’s biggest draws. Recent infiltration by organized criminals however has led, city officials say, to an overall decline in the area. According to the proposal, the famed historic buildings with the scantily clad women posing in dimly lit windows will be confined to a few regulated areas, while plans are on to open up other building spaces for upscale restaurants, galleries and boutiques.

In 2000, the Netherlands legalized prostitution in an attempt to empower prostitutes, make them responsible for their own affairs and not dependent on pimps for protection. This hasn’t happened to the extent they had hoped, officials say, which is why the city is introducing new measures to protect sex workers.