Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp banned all filming in the Schipperskwartier red light district to protect sex workers. UTSOPI and Violett support it. Daan Bauwens and Els Traets highlight its importance.
As VRT News reported, Antwerp has banned photos and videos in the Schipperskwartier, its red light district, to protect sex workers. The new rule means that taking pictures or videos is now illegal, even if the content isn’t shared.
They mentioned that previously, action could only be taken if images were shared, which was often too late. This change helps prevent harm because digital platforms can quickly spread unwanted content, causing serious problems for those filmed without permission.
“These videos end up in the sex worker’s home country, after which the family breaks off all contact.”
Dean Bauwens of the Belgian Union for Sex Workers UTSOPI
What does Antwerp’s filming ban mean for sex worker safety?
The new ban is good news for sex workers, according to their union, UTSOPI. They’ve wanted this for a while. Daan Bauwens, from UTSOPI, said Antwerp is listening to sex workers and helping them. He explained that when pictures or videos are shared without permission, it can cause big problems.
UTSOPI knows of cases where videos from the red light district ended up on sites like TikTok and were seen by the sex workers’ families, causing them to be rejected and feel hurt. They mentioned that this can be especially bad for migrant sex workers, leading to family problems or being shut out by society. Bauwens wants similar rules in other areas, like Noordwijk, to keep all sex workers in Belgium safe and respected.
Daan Bauwens from UTSOPI says it’s often not even the clients, but people just watching who are taking the videos. Because of this, the city is banning all photos and videos in the Schipperskwartier. He mentioned that the goal is to protect sex workers and change how people see them, making sure they have privacy and feel safe at work.
“Before, people were approached by the police when they made videos,”
Says Traets.
“But they couldn’t do more than that. It’s good that the police can now intervene more forcefully.”
Violett, an organisation that helps sex workers in Antwerp, supports the new filming ban. Els Traets from Violett says the ban could make it easier for sex workers to report problems to the police, as they will feel safer. The city has also changed its rules about indecent behaviour.
A previous ban was removed because it was unclear. Now, only offering sex work topless is not allowed. Traets understands why the city made this change, but wonders if it’s what the workers need most. She thinks the filming ban is more important. The city might allow some people, like documentary makers, to film if they get permission.
