Summary Rome's mayor and officials are considering a "red light" district to shield prostitutes
ROME: (AP) - Rome s mayor and officials are considering a "red light" district to shield prostitutes from exploitation and families from embarrassment.
Prostitution is legal in Italy, and its practitioners are a common sight along some Rome streets.
City officials in the EUR neighborhood, filled with ministries, office high-rises and residential blocks, want to designate certain streets for prostitutes, starting experimentally in April.
Mayor Ignazio Marino told state TV Sunday the aim is to "find a balance" by pinpointing places, such as parks frequented by children and families, where prostitution won t be allowed and designating some streets where it will.
Exploitation of prostitution is illegal. EUR official Andrea Santoro says designated streets will help ensure prostitutes aren t forced to work there by traffickers, as many now are.
