Decriminalize
Prostitution Now Coalition
Your Tax Dollars Are Being Wasted Ruining Citizens Lives
Instead of fighting real crime
COPYRIGHTED 2000-2008 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - MAY BE
REPRINTED OR QUOTED FROM ONLY IF CREDIT IS GIVEN Decriminalize
Prostitution Now Coalition with URL given
New Zealand Government Report
on the results of Decriminization of Prostitution in 2003
Published May 2008 by the Ministry of Justice
New Zealand is a bit unique since it has decriminalized all sexwork including
street hookers.
Some highlights
About 11% of sex work is on the street - no increase since law went into effect.
Mostly very positive on results related to safety, but problems related to the
Brothel system etc
There are concerns from communities regarding street work including liter being
aggressive but also the anti sexworker folks are a nusiance themselves:
"Residents and NZPC outreach workers also report ‘hoons’ throwing eggs at sex
workers. In addition, where street workers come into direct contact with late
night bar patrons there is often conflict. Abuse and harassment of street-based
sex workers by drunken members of the public is common."
Discusses local government attempt to have bylaws prohibiting public
solicitation.
Discusses how other countries have addressed the issues.
It is a very comprehensive report and mostly supports the decriminalization of
all sexwork including street workers but makes various recommendations to
further avoid the negative community effects
Section 11 addresses common misconceptions about prostitution which is
supportive of decriminalization.
Extensive report at
http://www.justice.govt.nz/prostitution-law-review-committee/publications/plrc-report/index.html
It offers some very good talking points that could be used to argue
decriminalization in the U.S. especially for private sexwork. I doubt the U.S.
public is as willing to accept street workers. In New Zealand as in most of the
world outcall has always been legal and brothels were tolerated, now they have
to be licensed.
But,
New
Zealand Decriminalization Went TOO far!
Neighborhoods are in uproar over street prostitution and brothels in residential
areas
Most of the world has a more sensible balance. Outcall totally legal almost
everywhere except the U.S., brothels have to be in proper zoning not in
residential areas in most countries, and legal status varies from only one gal
per flat in the U.K., to huge public brothels in Australia and New Zealand.
Flawed Prostitution Law Ignores Dannevirke Community Concern
From New Zealand - http://www.voxy.co.nz
21 July 2008 - Family First says that the Dannevirke community has felt the full
impact of the ideologically flawed decriminalisation of prostitution. "The new
law has ridden roughshod over the concerns of local communities, and Dannevirke
is powerless to stop a brothel operating in the main street," says Bob McCoskrie,
National Director of Family First NZ. "Once again, the safety and welfare of
families and children is being put second to business ventures and male
clientele."
"This has been the predicted outcome of the law. Other problems include an
increase in street prostitution, brothels operating in residential areas, the
association of brothels and prostitutes with drugs, alcohol, and used condoms
littering the area, and increased teenage prostitution (involving girls
reportedly as young as 11)."
"Despite attempts by the Dannevirke Community (and other local communities in
Manukau and Wellington) to gain control over this type of behaviour, politicians
continue to block attempts to empower local communities. Laws governing the
availability of alcohol and numbers of pokie machines have also ignored the
concerns and welfare of local communities and families." Family First is calling
on the government to empower local councils to be able to respond to the
concerns of families.
"The decriminalisation of prostitution has failed prostitutes by encouraging
them to think that prostitution can be safe - which it can never be. But now the
law is also failing our communities and families. We must change it before it is
too late," says Mr McCoskrie.
Dave notes:
In case your wondering what a pokie machine is - no not what you think sexually
... - Mates, its a New Zealand expression for casino slot machines.
Family First New Zealand is a lobby group that promotes conservative values in
New Zealand. While it also is against all prostitution I think it does have a
valid point regarding street hookers and brothels in residential areas.