MEDIA RELEASE

24 July 2014

Politicians Ignore Families’ Concerns on Street Prostitution

Family First NZ says that politicians are ignoring the concerns of families, lack the will to take appropriate action, and are happy to drag the ongoing problem of street prostitution into the next parliamentary term.

Parliament was told today that the Select Committee report due originally in 2012 will not come back to parliament before parliament rises for the general election, and will not provide an Interim report.

“The bill was introduced in 2010, submissions were made in early 2012, and yet the politicians have fluffed around and still don’t have the willpower to bring action on this vexed issue which is harming communities, especially in South Auckland and Christchurch,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“The ongoing problems of the decriminalisation of prostitution have 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.”

“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,” says Mr McCoskrie.

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.

“Prostitution is sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. There is a healthy stigma against prostitution – and for good reason. It’s well past time that the politicians put the welfare and protection of families first.”

ENDS

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