MEDIA RELEASE
13 February 2012
Call for Families To Tell MP’s to Ban Street Prostitution

Family First NZ is calling on families to make submissions on the bill banning street prostitution in Auckland in order to to protect families and businesses from the unregulated activities of the sex industry. Submissions are due by the end of the month.

“The ongoing problems of the decriminalisation of prostitution have recently 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 Papatoetoe, Manurewa and Christchurch areas.”

Family First is hoping that a ban on street prostitution and also residential brothels will be eventually 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 also sentencing more and more young people and prostitutes to an unacceptable situation,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“We must not expose our children and families to that level of risk. There is a healthy stigma against prostitution – and for good reason. This is an opportunity to tell the politicians to put the welfare and protection of families first.”

ENDS

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