Although walking through the Red Light District is not a common weekend activity, after years living in this city I still have toured through it many times, often with tourist friends. The women-for-hire strike a pose and maintain eye contact in order to lure potential customers; men nervously scout their prospects and become bolder with increased alcohol consumption. As the night wears on, the level of testosterone increases to the point where some streets – and bars – feel almost unbearable to enter.

Every time I’m in this strange district, I find myself searching the faces of these women who, voluntarily or not, have opted to make their living selling their bodies. Are they empowered with their legal status, or they are exploited because despite the policy, many are still forced into this line of work?

Visit, and ponder. But don’t take photographs, or you will learn a harsh lesson in privacy.