Note 598 — Chapter IX · ABOLITION AND ORDER

For a detailed discussion of this point see a paper by E. M. Hoff, “On the Effects of the Law of March 30, 1906” (Copenhagen, 1909). Dr. Hoff, quoting an unfavorable utterance by Judge Cold respecting “the armies of loose women in the Vesterbro quarter,” remarks: “If we should go out to the Vesterbro in the expectation of unpleasant experience in the way of public morals, we should be disappointed. Vesterbro makes the impression of not having changed essentially since the passage of the law. There is certainly no offence to be feared by anyone walking through the streets; of course loose women whose manner is not characterized by great reserve may be noted, but the same was true formerly and had been true for years. In general, conditions can fairly be described as quiet.” (p. 2, somewhat condensed.) I visited the quarter at different hours, day and night, and fully concur in Dr. Hoff’s contention that prostitution is not more conspicuous than in similar neighborhoods elsewhere in Europe.