Bordelen

Bordelen are establishments where sex workers provide sexual services to clients for payment. They range from small, discreet rooms to larger, licensed facilities and are a term most commonly used in Dutch and Flemish contexts.

Regulation and legality vary by country and region. In some jurisdictions prostitution is legal and regulated, with rules on licensing, taxation, health and safety, and worker rights; in others prostitution is criminalized or tolerated only in restricted forms.

Operations and protections vary. Many bordelen employ or contract workers who work in private rooms or shared spaces. Regulations often address safety measures, sanitation, consent verification, and prevention of exploitation. Health considerations, such as access to healthcare and voluntary testing, are handled differently by jurisdiction.

History and usage: The term bordel derives from French and is used in Dutch and Flemish to denote a brothel. Bordelen are part of the broader sex work industry, which remains the subject of ongoing legal and social debate.