2023-12-15 18:17:21
The decriminalization of sex work, which came into force in March 2022 in Belgium, has not led to a decline in violence affecting sex workers (TDS) in the Gare du Nord district in Brussels, said Friday the Belga agency, Nadia, coordinator at Utsopi. On the contrary, the association notes an increase in violence.alarming“, which has repercussions not only on sex workers, but also on the entire network of associations working in the neighborhood.
According to Utsopi, the TDS in the northern district are reporting physical, sexual and verbal violence more and more frequently, committed by clients or surrounding people. “Sex workers are being robbed, robbed, stabbed and even shot“, explains Nadia, adding that they practice their profession”with fear in my stomach“.
This growing fear also affects employees in the sector whose street work becomes “almost impossible” to exercise, she continues. So much so that the premises of Espace P, another association present for 35 years for TDS in the northern district, were forced to close.
According to Utsopi, the entire associative network (childhood, homelessness, addiction, socio-cultural activities sectors) is witnessing this “escalation of violence” which is affecting the neighborhood. The association pleads for a more protective legislative framework for TDS, including those in an irregular situation. It also asks the public authorities to put in place concrete measures to curb the problem of violence in this area of the capital.
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