All sex companies may need licences
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Visiting illegal prostitutes will be punishable by up to six months in jail if cabinet plans to reform the law on prostitution go through.
In addition, all companies involved in the sex industry – from escort bureaus and sex theatres to massage salons – will have to get an official licence to operate. At the moment only brothels require licences.
Local councils will also be able to say where and if sex companies can be situated.
The proposals, drawn up by home affairs minister Guusje ter Horst and justice minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin, have been circulated to police, justice ministry officials, the tax office and other interested parties for their comments.
The ministers say the new legislation is aimed at improving regulation, cutting crime and stamping out people trafficking.
The proposal does not include a rise in the minimum age for prostitutes from 18 to 21, but this still may be an option, the ministers said.
© DutchNews.nl
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Friday: Very cold with snow showers and some sun. As low as -13º at night. Sun again at weekend
This article says, "all companies involved in the sex industry – from escort bureaus and sex theatres to massage salons – will have to get an official licence to operate. At the moment only brothels require licences."
What is a "massage salon" as opposed to a "brothel"?
Do the Dutch differentiate nonsexual therapeutic massage from "sex industry" massage? How? I know that the Fascia Research Congress 2009 in Amsterdam will be hosted by Faculteit Bewegingswetenschappen (Faculty of Human Movement Sciences) at Vrije Universiteit... How will attendees of this conference use the word "massage"? Please note, I have personally met with Tim Barnett, author of New Zealand's bill decriminalising prostitution to discuss this issue.
Please note, I worked in the "massage" building at the Olympics/Paralympics in 2002. I have also worked with athletes and coaches from Ajax Amsterdam (we call it soccer in the USA), so I know Dutch people who have used the word "massage" to refer to a nonsexual therapeutic modality.
I want to attend the Fascia Congress in Amsterdam, but I find I no longer have any idea what to call my profession, or what I do.
By Brian Goodwin / Longcor | December 10, 2008 6:27 PM