Authorities face scrutiny over allowing a convict-led escort agency to operate

Dutch authorities are under fire for failing to take action against Tilburg-based escort agency Nirvana, despite years of alleged exploitation of sex workers and evidence of fraudulent activities. Van de Laar, who founded Nirvana in 1996, was sentenced in Belgium to four years in prison, with two years suspended, for exploiting escort workers. “It is clear Margretha had no respect for the dignity of sex workers and shamelessly exploited their dependence.” Belgian authorities alerted the Dutch Public Prosecution Service in 2020 about potential exploitation of 150 sex workers in the Netherlands, based on data obtained during a raid on Nirvana’s offices. “The fact that Nirvana was licensed despite these convictions is shocking,” said André van Dorst of a national advocacy group for sex workers.