The practice of prostitution—never illegal itself has been tolerated in the Netherlands for a long time and was legal ized in phases (e.g., the brothel abolition law in 2000). Prostitutes are regarded as entrepreneurs and pay income taxes. Dutch authorities hoped, by this measure, to bring about better conditions for prosti tutes (health care, reduction of drug problems, etc.) and to fight criminal side effects (such as slave-running, illegal immigrants, and exploitation of minors) more effectively. So far, this approach seems to have been quite fruitful. Dutch “red light districts,” particularly in Amsterdam, are still tourist attractions, because of the so-called win dow prostitution. Street prostitution and brothels in residential sec tions have often led to citizens’protests, which urged local authori ties to move them to (industrial) zones without inhabitants.
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.