In the Netherlands, prostitution is legalized. For most of the 20th century, brothels were illegal however prostitution was legal. Municipalities in the Netherlands were also allowed to regulate their own sex work laws. Thus, in many cities tippelzones were established and there was also a huiskamer. However, due to increased demands by sex workers for better working conditions and increased protection under the law, the Penal Code was repealed in 2000. Accordingly, article 273 of the Dutch Penal Code, distinguished between voluntary and involuntary prostitution and sex workers were given the same rights as other workers. Furthermore, the repeal legalized brothels, to the extent that public life was not disrupted or interfered with. Pimping was also allowed and the minimum age for prostitutes was 18 years. Additionally, testing for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases was not mandatory for prostitutes however there were medical services in the tippelzones.
Cities within the Netherlands were allowed to
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Through these laws, licenses could be refused where the building contradicted building regulations and if it would lower the ‘social climate’ or cause public nuisance. Additional requirements were that applicants had to be at least 21 years old and never have been convicted of a criminal offence.
The legal framework of the Netherlands has numerous strengths. Matthews et al states that “...Dutch tippelzones have often been cited by advocates of legal reform in the UK…as a model system of regulation…” The tippelzones allowed prostitutes to have a safe place in which to work. Additionally, the “…HIV transmission rate remained low among non-IV drug-using prostitutes…” Prostitutes were also able to go to the police if they had complaints. Barnett and Casavant further stated that “…there is even some indication that prostitutes’ incomes have