Monday, 30 January 2006

Copeland: time to hit prostitutes' clients

United Future MP Gordon Copeland wants to know when the police will start prosecuting those who buy the services of under-age prostitutes.

He was responding to news that a Christchurch Police swoops have netted several young prostitutes, including a twelve-year-old, from the city streets.

"One of the key planks of the Prostitution Reform Act was to criminalise "the use for prostitution" of persons under eighteen years.

"The sponsor of the Bill, Labour MP, Tim Barnett, and others who supported the passage of the Bill, were strong in their denunciation of people who use under eighteen-year-olds for sexual gratification, and that prosecution under the Act would be taken.

"After all, all the clients of under-age sex workers have clearly broken the law, but as far as I'm aware, no one has yet been prosecuted.

"Have the police simply turned a blind eye? If so, it must stop.

"This is yet another reason why the Prostitution Law Review, as per the confidence and supply agreement between Labour and United Future, needs to happen sooner rather than later," said Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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