Cabinet wants to tighten ban on pimps, and raise legal sex work age to 21

The Dutch government is exploring the possibility of introducing a “pimp ban” to tackle abusive facilitators in the sex industry who take advantage of vulnerable sex workers. It is also moving ahead with plans to raise the minimum age for sex work from 18 to 21.

Municipalities will also be given stronger enforcement powers. A Municipal Supervision of Sex Businesses Act (Wgts) will be introduced, allowing municipalities to “process sex workers’ data for the supervision and enforcement of the sex industry,” according to the Ministry of Justice and Security. The bill will be sent to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, “very soon.”

The government says the measures are intended to improve safety in the sex work industry and strengthen the legal position of sex workers. It will continue consultations with relevant stakeholders in the sector.

Justice Minister David van Weel of the VVD described the sex work sector as a “very difficult industry.” He said he wants to address abuses without making sex work impossible or further stigmatising it. According to him, 21-year-olds are generally more resilient than 18-year-olds and therefore less vulnerable to exploitation in the sector.

He says banning pimps or so-called “loverboys” is legally complex. A study due later this year is expected to explore how such a prohibition could be properly supported under the law.