Achterdam

Achterdam by night

The Achterdam is a red light district in the Dutch city of Alkmaar, 30 km North of Amsterdam. It is the only place in Alkmaar where window prostitution is permitted. It is situated about 10 minutes walk from the Alkmaar train station. It is a 150-metre-long street with window prostitution on both sides. The area has about 100 windows with rooms. Mainly Eastern-Europe women work there. The rate paid by prostitutes to rent rooms is 125 Euros per day, with prostitutes applying daily for rooms on a first come, first served basis.[1]

History and municipal policy

Window prostitution in Achterdam probably arose around 1971. Following the October 2000 abolition of the law banning brothels, sex establishments in Alkmaar, such as the houses on the Achterdam, have been allowed provided they have a licence from the municipal council.[2] In the 2000s there were between 120 and 125 prostitution windows operating in Achterdam.

During the 2000s there were complaints about the alleged nuisance resulting from prostitution in Achterdam. Changes in licensing rules in 2011 meant that licences were revoked for brothels alleged to be involved in money laundering and the number of prostitution windows was limited to a maximum of 69. In 2012 the Central Alkmaar Residents' Association campaigned for the end of all window prostitution in Achterdam, while the window operators proposed an end to the 69-window limit.[3]

In 2004 and again in 2015, the window operators held an "open day" during which members of the public could tour the premises and speak to the prostitutes.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rossebuurt Alkmaar – Kamerverhuur" [Alkmaar Red Light District - Room Rental] (in Dutch). Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Algemene plaatselijke verordening Alkmaar, zoals geldig vanaf 23-10-2010], artikel 3.2.1" [Alkmaar General Bylaw valid from 23 October 2010, article 3.2.1]. www.alkmaar.regelingenbank.nl (in Dutch). Regelingenbank Alkmaar. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  3. ↑ "Prostitutie Alkmaarse Achterdam moet helemaal weg" [Prostitution in Achterdam, Alkmaar must end completely]. Nu (in Dutch) (Netherlands). 19 May 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  4. ↑ Brandsma, Hans (20 March 2015). "Open dag in Alkmaarse hoerenstraat" [Open Day in Alkmaar's Whore Street]. Noordhollands Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 September 2015.

Coordinates: 52°37′53″N 4°45′7″E / 52.63139°N 4.75194°E / 52.63139; 4.75194

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