BELGIUM: PROSTITUES IN ANTWERP'S RED LIGHT DISTRICT HOLD OPEN DAY IN CAMPAIGN TO KEEP THE CITY'S "SHOP WINDOW" HOUSES

Record ID: 640163

  • Title: BELGIUM: PROSTITUES IN ANTWERP'S RED LIGHT DISTRICT HOLD OPEN DAY IN CAMPAIGN TO KEEP THE CITY'S "SHOP WINDOW" HOUSES
  • Date: 24th May 1997
  • Summary: ANTWERP, BELGIUM (MAY 24, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV/SV OF PROSTITUTES IN STREET WINDOWS (3 SHOTS) 0.19 2. SV PROSTITUTE IN HER ROOM WASHING SINK 0.25 3. CU HOLY SCRIPTURES 0.34 4. MCU UNIDENTIFIED PROSTITUTE INTERVIEWED (HER FACE IS HIDDEN FROM CAMERA) SAYING THE PURPOSE OF THE OPEN DAY IS SO THEY CAN COME AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVITED IN SO THEY KNOW THIS IS A GOOD PLACE, THAT IT IS NOT JUST FOR CRIMINALS AND PROSTITUTES (ENGLISH) 0.54 4. SLV/SV VISITORS GO INTO PROSTITUTES ROOMS (2 SHOTS) 1.03 5. SV VARIOUS OF ROOMS (3 SHOTS) 1.29 6. SV COUPLE LEAVING PROSTITUTES ROOMS 1.37 7. MCU JEAN BEMIS SAYING THEY SHOULD MAKE THE ROOMS MORE COMFORTABLE FOR THE GIRLS BUT SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE WALKING THERE AT NIGHT (ENGLISH) 1.53 8. SV YOUNGSTERS PLAYING GOING IN AND OUT OF THE ROOMS 2.03 9. MCU LOCAL POLICEMAN FRANS VERSCHUVEN SAYING THERE ARE NO MORE PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA THAN IN ANY OTHER AREA IN THE CITY (ENGLISH) 2.10 10.SV FOOD ON TABLE FOR OPEN DAY 2.14 11.SV BACK OF UNIDENTIFIED PROSTITUTE FACING WINDOW AND STREET 2.20 Initials P3 S3 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 8th June 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ANTWERP, BELGIUM
  • City:
  • Country: Belgium
  • Reuters ID: LVAFGURZ30RK9BL1G5EPA56GDZ7
  • Story Text: Prostitutes in Antwerp's red light district have held an open day in a campaign to keep the city's "shop window" houses.

    Authorities have looked into ways of closing them down in an effort to clean up the city.

    The atmosphere was relaxed and open in Antwerp's Oudemans street and St Paulis Square on Saturday (May 24).

    These are red light districts where prostitutes sell their services from behind windows. On Saturday, they invited the public to take a look inside for free.

    They are angry about the Dutch authorities' attempts to close them down and argue the areas they work in are safe.

    One woman, who did not want to be identified, said the prostitutes want people to find out for themselves that prostitution does not necessarily attract criminal elements.

    The men and women who came to see the window-box rooms appeared to support the prostitutes' appeal although some were not convinced it was the best night spot for them to visit.

    Local policeman Frans Verschuven broadly agreed with the prostitutes and defended the area against accusations that the sex industry makes it a magnet for crime.

    Antwerp's red light district has lived on for some 600 years and many believe that closing it down will not put an end to prostitution but merely drive it underground. The question would then be how best to ensure the safety of prostitutes once hidden away behind closed doors, where it is more difficult to control.


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