12 February 2012

Prostitution Law Harming Homes And Retailers

Family First NZ is repeating its call for law changes to the Prostitution Reform Act in order to protect families and businesses from the unregulated activities of the sex industry.

“The ongoing problems throughout the country have been highlighted by retailers and families in Manurewa being affected by the activities of prostitution, including half-naked prostitutes, used condoms, propositioning of family members, intimidation, noise and nuisance, and a general reduced sense of safety,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The fallout from the decriminalisation of prostitution has affected both residential areas and family shopping areas and the local councils have been powerless to act. There have been ongoing concerns about the negative effects of street prostitution and associated conduct in both the Manukau and Christchurch areas.”

“And accounts of home brothels (SOOB’s) where men willing to pay for sex are visiting nearby homes trying to find the brothel, and concerns about noise, traffic, and late-night visits are common experiences from having a brothel in a residential street or next to a school.”

In the poll of 1,000 people undertaken by Curia Market Research last year, 66% want brothels banned in residential areas, 26% disagreed, and the remainder (8%) were either unsure or refused to answer. More women than men wanted the ban. Respondents were also asked whether the law should be amended to ban street prostitution. 50% said yes, 33% said no, and a high 17% were unsure. Once again, more women than men were supportive of the proposed law change.

“New Zealanders are giving the government the green light to get the red light out of residential and family shopping areas,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“The association of prostitution with gang and criminal behaviour, alcohol and drug abuse, underage prostitution, and sexual abuse and violence means that we are sentencing more and more young people and prostitutes to an unacceptable situation,” says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

© Scoop Media