Prostitution in Belgium: What the 2022 Law Changes for You

Prostitution in Belgium: What the 2022 Law Changes for You

The law of 21 March 2022 fundamentally changes the rules regarding prostitution and sex work in Belgium. Here is what you need to know if you are a sex worker, whether you work independently, in a window, for an agency, or elsewhere.

What is Legal for Adult Sex Workers

• You may offer sexual services as an adult (18 years or older).
• You may advertise your own sexual services, but only in specific cases (see below).
• You may work in a location dedicated to prostitution (for example, a window or a designated space), provided that the location complies with the law.

Advertising Prostitution: What is Allowed and Forbidden

• Advertising prostitution is generally prohibited.
• Exceptions:
  • You may advertise your own sexual services behind a window in a location specifically intended for prostitution.
  • You may post an ad for your own sexual services on an internet platform or medium reserved for this purpose (for example, a website specialized for sex workers).
  • Platforms or media that publish these ads must be specifically intended for prostitution and must take measures to protect sex workers and report any abuse or exploitation.
• It is forbidden for anyone else to advertise prostitution on behalf of others, except in the cases above.
• Advertising prostitution outside these cases (for example, on a general website, in the street, or for another person) is punishable by law.

Pimping: What is Forbidden

• Pimping remains prohibited. This means it is forbidden for anyone to organize the prostitution of others for personal gain, except in cases provided by law (for example, managing a legally authorized venue that respects the rights of sex workers).
• It is forbidden to promote, incite, encourage, or facilitate the prostitution of another person in order to obtain an abnormal economic benefit or any other abnormal advantage.
• It is forbidden to take measures to prevent or make it more difficult for a sex worker to leave prostitution.
• Penalties range from 1 to 5 years in prison and fines from 500 to 25,000 euros. Attempted offenses are also punishable.

Aggravated Abuse of Prostitution

• If someone takes advantage of a sex worker’s vulnerability (for example, due to administrative or social situation, age, illness, disability, etc.) to commit pimping or prohibited advertising, the penalties are much heavier (10 to 15 years in prison and up to 50,000 euros in fines).

Public Incitement to Prostitution

• It is forbidden to publicly incite, by any means, an adult to engage in prostitution.
• Example: advertising or making public statements to encourage someone to become a sex worker.
• Penalty: 1 month to 1 year in prison and a fine from 100 to 1,000 euros.

Closure of an Establishment

• If offenses (pimping, prohibited advertising, abuse, etc.) are committed in an establishment (for example, a brothel, bar, or salon), the judge may order its closure for a period of 1 month to 3 years.
• This closure may apply to any place where the offense was committed, even if the owner is not directly involved.

Specific Bans for Convicted Persons

• A person convicted of pimping or abuse may be banned from operating or working in certain establishments (bars, hotels, travel agencies, entertainment companies, etc.) for a period of 1 to 20 years.

Your Rights and Protection

• You have the right to work independently and to choose your clients.
• No one can force you to continue prostitution against your will.
• If you are a victim of violence, exploitation, threats, or abuse, you can file a complaint and seek help from the police or specialized organizations.
• The law also protects your identity: it is forbidden to publish or share information that could reveal who you are without your written consent.

What is Strictly Forbidden

• Prostitution involving minors (under 18) is strictly forbidden and severely punished.
• It is forbidden to advertise prostitution involving minors, to recruit them, to provide them with premises, or to attend their prostitution.
• Penalties are very severe for any offense involving a minor.

Key Points to Remember

• As an adult sex worker, you may carry out your activity, but only within a strict legal framework.
• You may advertise your own services only in places or on platforms reserved for this purpose.
• No one may exploit you, force you, or take advantage of your situation.
• If you are a victim of abuse, violence, or exploitation, remedies exist and the law protects you.

If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to contact a specialized association or a support service for sex workers. You are not alone.