Venice sets up red-light 'zones'

Venice will provide approved zones in which prostitutes can work

VENICE, Italy -- The city of Venice has approved a plan to establish "red light zones" where prostitutes can work in safety without scandalising local residents.

The coordinator of the project said on Saturday that the "zoning" plan will map out streets and neighbourhoods of the city which will be designated as legal areas.

The scheme will also involve sending vans to provide condoms, health care and even hot coffee.

"Instead of harassing these women or ordering police raids, we can softly persuade them to go to less-populated areas," Beppe Caccia, Venice's deputy mayor for welfare, told Reuters.

Prostitution is legal in Italy, but living off a prostitute's earnings is not.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi sparked a fresh scandal over the issue by suggesting earlier this month that Italy should legalise brothels in a bid to rid the streets of sex workers.

But Venice officials hope their "zoning" project will not only rid an eyesore for local residents but also break up the illegal crime rings that control prostitution.

"The basic idea of the project is to help these women leave the criminal organisations which exploit them," Caccia said.

Some 50,000-70,000 women prostitute themselves in Italy, but many of them are illegal immigrants who have been forced into the trade by international traffickers.

Officials are still determining which areas would be most appropriate for the "protected" red light districts since the women do not want to work too far away from potential clients or run the risk of robberies.