24 August 2007

AMSTERDAM – Prostitutes in Amsterdam's red light district started a sticker and poster campaign against pimps on Thursday. They are putting up stickers and posters on windows with the phrases "Pimpfree Zone" and "Pimping is forbidden in The Netherlands".

The stickers and posters serve to point out to pimps that it is a criminal offence to blackmail prostitutes and make them dependent on them, says lobby organisation De Rode Draad and Vakwerk, the union for sex workers. The organisations are taking the initiative because they feel there are too many pimps hanging around the window prostitution areas of the red light district.

The stickers are being offered to prostitutes so they can affix them to their windows. The posters are being handed out to bars and sex shops in the district.

The organisers say they realise that this action alone will not get rid of the pimps. "Be we do want to send them a clear message and we hope it will make them nervous."

It will also serve as encouragement to prostitutes who are being harassed by pimps.

The inspiration for the campaign comes from Australia. In the prostitution district of Sydney someone recently put up a wall mural with the phrase "Pimpfree Zone."

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2007]

Subject: Dutch news