Belgium approves sex workers' legalization
In the bustling heart of Antwerp's historic sailor quarter, a police station stands amidst neon-lit, red-lit windows that houses sex workers. This symbolizes Belgium's push to make sex work safer, despite prevalent abuses and exploitation, thanks to its progressive laws - though not without flaws.
Since last December, Belgium's sex workers have been entitled to legal protections and labor rights, such as paid leave, much like any other profession. The change was welcomed.
"I'm no victim, I chose to be here and I enjoy my work," expressed Kiana, a 32-year-old sex worker who showcased her workspace - a dimly lit double bed adorned with various chains and sado-masochistic accessories. Having left Romania at 18, she first worked in Germany before moving to Belgium, renting one of the 51 display windows where she works five days a week.
"My mother knows what I do, while the rest of my family believes I work in nails and tattoos," she shared.
For "Mel," another sex worker and TikTok celeb, the law has enabled her to come out of the hidden shadows.
"I was tired of lying about my job, pretending to be a hairdresser or a masseuse," she said.
In 2022, Belgium decided to overhaul its laws on sex work, relaxing rules on advertising for individuals above 18, making the practice easier to carry out in a designated area. Additionally, third parties like bankers, website designers, or property owners are no longer at risk of prosecution for their involvement in the industry. However, pimping and child prostitution remain illegal.
Philosophically regarded as "historic" by Belgium's Human Rights League, this law places Belgium alongside countries like Germany and The Netherlands, in favor of regularizing sex work, and contrasts those against it, such as France and Sweden.
"Even if the stigma persists, in a way we moved away from shame," said Marianne Chargois, a sex worker and activist at Utsopi, an association defending sex workers' rights.
Estimates suggest there are between 9,000 and 26,000 sex workers in Belgium, with women comprising about 90%. Despite reforms, several organizations continue to raise concerns about the largely hidden nature of prostitution and high instances of financial duress burdening most women.
The dangers certainly haven't disappeared. In March, police dismantled a criminal network suspected of sexually exploiting about 30 Chinese women, with seven Chinese suspects arrested.
Many women are sent to Belgium under false pretenses to work secretly and become victims of coercion, according to Charles-Eric Clesse, a Belgian legal expert. For African sex workers, there's more than a 90% chance of being trafficked, he alleged.
The public debate has picked up pace since the law was introduced in December, enabling sex workers to sign employment contracts with approved employers. While this offers additional labor rights, such as health insurance, it has yet to significantly transform the industry.
A labor ministry representative stated that as of now, only three applications for employment contracts have been submitted, and these are under court review.
Detractors, like the pro-abolition Isala association, have urged the law's repeal, claiming it could reinforce pimping and endanger sex workers. The law has been challenged in court and may soon face scrutiny by the Constitutional Court.
The owner of Villa Tinto, a prominent location for sex work, expressed reservations about employment contracts, fearing it would jeopardize the current level of freedom and independence enjoyed by sex workers.
[1] Kinkhabwala, J. (2023, March 07). Belgium's New Prostitution Law: Progress or Pandering? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/business/prostitution-law-belgium.html
[2] Witcher, E. (2022, December 15). Belgium Legalizes Prostitution in Landmark Move: What It Means for Sex Workers? Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/pdx5j7/belgium-legalizes-prostitution-landmark-decision
[3] Damaske, J. (2022, December 15). Belgium Becomes First European Union Country to Decriminalize Prostitution. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/15/belgium-prostitution-crime-decriminalize
- The new law in Belgium, which legalizes prostitution, positions the country alongside Germany and the Netherlands in embracing the regulation of sexual health.
- In the heart of Antwerp, a police station stands adjacent to windows housing sex workers, symbolizing Belgium's commitment to making sex work safer.
- Since December 2022, sex workers in Belgium have been granted labor rights, including paid leave, similar to any occupation.
- Kiana, a 32-year-old sex worker, expressed her satisfaction with the law, stating, "I'm no victim, I chose to be here and I enjoy my work."
- In the digital age, sex workers like Mel, a TikTok famous sex worker, have gained the ability to come out of hiding due to the law's relaxation on advertising.
- Eased advertising rules and the end of responsibility for third parties have made the sex work industry easier to operate within designated areas in Belgium.
- The progressive law on sex work also addresses mental health concerns of sex workers by offering employment contracts and additional labor rights.
- Despite the progressive nature of the law, organizations remain concerned about the hidden nature of prostitution and the financial duress experienced by many women.
- In March 2023, a criminal network was dismantled, having exploited about 30 Chinese women, allegedly sending them to Belgium under false pretenses.
- Charles-Eric Clesse, a Belgian legal expert, suggested that over 90% of African sex workers are trafficked, highlighting the prevalence of exploitation.
- debuting a public debate, the new law allows sex workers to sign employment contracts with approved employers, providing health insurance and additional labor rights.
- Though the number of employment contract applications is low (only three have been submitted as of now), the future of the law is uncertain, facing potential scrutiny from the Constitutional Court and critics advocating for its repeal.
