Amsterdam’s Red Light district just made a huge change

Visitors to Amsterdam will be banned from staring at and photographing sex workers under new regulations coming into effect in April this year.

Behind the windows of the red light district in Amsterdam, women stand to try and attract customers.

Under the regulations shouting, alcohol and drug use are also banned.

Picture: AFP / Getty Images / TOUSSAINT KLUITERS / Staff

The Dutch legalised prostitution to keep women safe and end trafficking. Sex workers have their own union, police protection and professional standards. But, as sex tourism became a major industry, with it came an illegal sex trade.

The new law comes after several human traffic convictions were handed out in Dutch courts.

Another law is also being introduced to make it an offence for punters to have sex with a prostitute they know or suspect has been trafficked.

HT Amsterdam municipality

More: The world map of prostitution