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Hoeren of huizen prostitutie in gevaar op de alkmaarse achterdam
The Achterdam is a red light district in the Dutch city of Alkmaar, 30 km North of Amsterdam. It is the only place in Alkmaar where window prostitution is permitted. It is situated about 10 minutes walk from the Alkmaar train station. It is a 150-metre-long street with window prostitution on both sides. The district comprises approximately 100 windows with rooms, predominantly occupied by women from Eastern Europe engaging in sex work. The rental fee for these rooms is set at 125 Euros per day, with sex workers applying for room allocation on a daily basis, adhering to a first-come, first-served policy.
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Alkmaar red light district holland achterdam
History and municipal policy
Window prostitution in Achterdam probably arose around 1971. Following the October 2000 abolition of the law banning brothels, sex establishments in Alkmaar, such as the houses on the Achterdam, have been allowed provided they have a licence from the municipal council. In the 2000s there were between 120 and 125 prostitution windows operating in Achterdam.
During the 2000s there were complaints about the alleged nuisance resulting from prostitution in Achterdam. Changes in licensing rules in 2011 meant that licences were revoked for brothels alleged to be involved in money laundering and the number of prostitution windows was limited to a maximum of 69. In 2012 the Central Alkmaar Residents' Association campaigned for the end of all window prostitution in Achterdam, while the window operators proposed an end to the 69-window limit.
In 2004 and again in 2015, the window operators held an "open day" during which members of the public could tour the premises and speak to the prostitutes.