18 June 2004

Launch of Repeal Week to promote referendum on the Prostitution Reform Act

A Repeal Week coinciding with one year since the Prostitution Reform Act was passed will launch a nationwide campaign to collect signatures for a referendum asking New Zealand voters, "Should the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 be repealed?"

The Prostitution Reform Act which decriminalised soliciting, pimping and brothel keeping in New Zealand, was passed on June 25th 2003 by just one vote. "There was no public mandate for this legislation. This law should not have been passed without the endorsement of the New Zealand people," says Referendum Coordinator, Daniel Goldie-Anderson.

To support the petition www.stoptheabuse.org.nz has also been launched. Already hundreds of people have downloaded the petition forms and accessed information on the problems with the law.

"Prostitution always causes huge physical and emotional harm. The Prostitution Reform Act provides protection for pimps and brothel owners, and made it easier for vulnerable women and children to become trapped in this exploitative trade. Instead of trying to minimise harm, the law should aim to prevent it in the first place," says Goldie-Anderson.

Repeal Week is being launched this Sunday afternoon with events in Auckland and Christchurch.

ENDS

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