Asenati Lole-Taylor MP

Spokesperson for Social Policy

16 November 2012

Street Prostitution Creating Neighbourhoods of Fear

New Zealand First will draft proposed changes to give prostitution laws teeth to deal with confrontational street soliciting which has ordinary people living in fear.

Social Policy spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says people living in parts of South Auckland and Christchurch are seriously outraged by street prostitution but are reluctant to voice their concerns because of intimidation by prostitutes and their minders.

“The existing Prostitution Reform Act places no restrictions on where or when prostitutes can solicit customers.

“This hole in the legislation makes it virtually impossible for local bodies to make legally sound bylaws to make neighbourhoods safe from bullying prostitutes and their pimps.

“We will push hard for the Act to be amended so we can restore a safe environment for all people living in neighbourhoods where prostitution is rife.”

Mrs Lole-Taylor says the Manukau City Council (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) Bill currently before a Select Committee must restore safety for South Auckland families.

“My office is in the heart of South Auckland at Hunters Corner. I regularly hear personal accounts of shocking public activity associated with prostitution.

“It would be negligent of MPs to ignore these problems. Failure on their part to take action would be a dereliction of duty,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.

ENDS

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