CarnalNation

The global recession has hit hard in most financial sectors, including sex work. Amsterdam's world-famous Red Light District, where sex workers offer themselves in red-lit storefront windows, is experiencing a dramatic drop in business. Tourists and businessmen have become scarce in the once bustling enclave. Dave Doeve, an associate at the sex shop Casa Rosso, says, "It's bad. There's practically no one around, and those that do come only buy trifles, condoms, and other cheap things." Two sex workers who share a storefront window, Oxana and Eva the Estonian, say that their revenue has dropped by 50% in the past six months. However, Oxana points out that their rent was increased by 25% this past January. "Some days there's nobody," she says. A 'good day' will bring her perhaps six clients, but more often than not, she'll have only one client. At 50 euros ($70) per session, one client doesn't even come close to paying the 150 euro ($212) daily rent on her window. The hard times have also hit the larger escort agencies and brothels. Hugo Snoep, the head of an escort agency for the past 16 years, notes, "Before I had twelve to fourteen girls working each day. Now it's sometimes only three." He has even resorted to offering specials and dropping some of his rates but to no avail. According to Andre van Dorst, director of VEB, the Dutch sex industry association, revenue in the district has dropped by 30-40% over the past year. Hard times, indeed—and not the kind the sex workers are looking for.