- If you are a streetwalker, you are outside.
- You make contact with clients who drive by in the car
- You ride together to a deserted parking lot to have sex
- There are streetwalkers’ districts in Arnhem and Nijmegen
- You usually need a permit in the form of a pass. You have to take care of that yourself
What’s the procedure?
A streetwalkers’ district is a place where you are allowed to work “on the street”. There are two streetwalkers’ districts in the Netherlands: Arnhem and Nijmegen. The streetwalkers’ district in Utrecht was closed in June 2021. In Arnhem, no new sex workers are allowed, either.
This is the procedure for working in a streetwalkers’ district:
- Clients drive their car into the area. You try to make contact by looking into the car
- You tell the client what you do and what you do not do and what the price is. If the client says yes, you get into the car
- You drive to a place where it is legal for sex workers to have sex with their clients. That is a parking lot with lots of privacy
- The client pays the price that you agreed
- Then you have sex with the client at the location where it is permitted
There is security and a living room in a streetwalkers’ district. In the living room, you can take a break, fix your makeup and chat to other sex workers.
It is prohibited for sex workers to street walk outside the streetwalkers’ district. You could be arrested. You are also not allowed in the break room. The social workers in the break room can give you help and information if you don’t have a permit in the form of a pass.
Only women work in the streetwalkers’ district. Transgender sex workers sometimes work there as well.
Permit
You need a permit in the form of a pass to work in a streetwalkers’ district. You apply for that with the municipality. That pass is your permit.
In Nijmegen the municipality gives out 20 anonymous day passes for the streetwalkers' district. This is on a 'early bird gets the worm' principle. The first 20 workers who show up will get a pass. You pick up this pass at the district, on the day you want to work.
This regulation will be evaluated in September 2024.
No new passes are issued in Arnhem. That means you can’t work in the streetwalkers’ district in Arnhem.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of working in a streetwalkers’ district
- You don’t pay rent
- You determine your own working hours
- There is security in streetwalkers’ districts
- There is always someone around
- There is a living room where you can meet other streetwalkers
- A doctor comes by on a regular basis to conduct an STI check
Disadvantages of working in a streetwalkers’ district
- Streetwalking is only legal in the streetwalkers’ districts in Arnhem and Nijmegen
- You have to apply for a permit in the form of a pass at your local municipality
- Streetwalkers’ districts are often located outside the city
- You are outside. Sometimes, it’s cold
- You earn less than when you work in a window brothel, for example
- You have to do your own bookkeeping
Safety
Working in a streetwalkers’ district is risky. Especially because you are alone with the client in the car.
There is security in the streetwalkers’ district. There are usually other sex workers in the area.
Protect your safety:
- Trust your own instincts. Do not get into a client’s car if you have a bad feeling
- Is your client acting strange? Maybe you should stop. Read here about what strange behavior is
- Be clear about what you want to do with clients and what you do not want to do. If you don’t want to do something, say no
The work bag
Use a bag with pockets, so you won’t have to dig around in the bag.
What is in your work bag?
- A charged work phone with sufficient phone credit
- Items for safe sex: different sizes of condoms, water-based or silicon-based lube, disinfectant hand gel and Nitrile gloves or latex gloves
- A toiletry bag contain makeup, unscented deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, hairbrush, tissues, items for contact lenses, nail file, sponges (dental dams) and a face mask
- Breath mints for fresh breath
- Change
- A copy of your ID
- Your permit in the form of a pass
- Clean underwear