News item | 23-01-2023 | 15:10
Sex workers must be able to do their work in a safe and healthy manner. We must combat abuses, exploitation and coercion. This requires more insight into the sector. A permit requirement for prostitutes and operators and more uniform rules will help with this. This is stated in the bill regulating sex work, an amendment of which will go into consultation today.
The existing bill essentially consists of a licensing requirement for sex businesses and prostitutes. This permit is included in a national register. This will increase supervision of the sector.
Amended bill
Part of the application procedure for a prostitution permit is conducting an interview with specialized municipal officials. During this conversation, the rights and obligations of the prostitute are discussed, among other things. The degree of self-reliance and the presence of coercion are also examined. The amendment stipulates that a mandatory repeat interview will be held one year after the prostitution license has been issued. With this extra interview, a more complete picture can be drawn of the degree of self-sufficiency of the prostitute and any presence of coercion during the entire license period.
The amendment also provides that the administrative fine for a prostitute who works without a license will be abolished. In this way, prostitutes need not feel any impediment to report or file a report in the event of abuses. Customers of non-licensed prostitutes are punishable by law, unless the customer reports an abuse. They must make this report within 24 hours and of their own accord, for example to the police.
Consultation
Would you like to comment on this topic? The Ministry of Justice and Security invites interested parties to respond. With this input, the proposed changes can be improved. The internet consultation memorandum of amendment bill regulating sex work is open for 8 weeks.