MEDIA RELEASE
25 January 2012

Stop The Sex Industry Operating Amongst Families

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

“ONE News tonight has highlighted our exact concerns about what families in Christchurch have been putting up with since the earthquake in terms of prostitution. The effects on families are unacceptable and their concerns should be the impetus for amending the law to ban street prostitution and brothels in all residential areas,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

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 also 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.

“This result should give the government the green light to get the red light out of residential areas.”

“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,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“There have also been ongoing concerns about the negative effects of street prostitution and associated conduct in both the Manukau and Christchurch areas and the local councils have been powerless to act. These negative effects include increased littering, noise and nuisance, a reduced sense of public safety, intimidation, and a decline in property values. A ban on street prostitution and residential brothels should be extended to cover all areas of New Zealand.”

“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.

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.
ENDS

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