Asenati Lole-Taylor MP
Spokesperson for Social Policy
22 November 2012
Prostitution Turf Wars Must Be Stopped Through Legislation
New Zealand First says turf wars in Auckland provide further proof that the Government must change the law to give local
authorities the power to ban street prostitution.
Social Policy spokesperson Asenati Lole-Taylor says the latest outbreak of hostilities between prostitutes on South
Auckland streets reveals big flaws in the Prostitution Reform Act.
“There was a gross oversight in the Act which assumed prostitution would not grow as an industry once it had been
decriminalised.
“But there can be no doubt that the industry is spreading and ruining neighbourhoods in other cities too.”
Mrs Lole-Taylor says she knows of certain streets where families feel trapped by street soliciting and the myriad of
unsavoury and threatening social issues it brings.
“These unfortunate people will never be able to sell their homes at market value until laws that allow local bodies to
ban street soliciting are introduced.
“I even know of one shop that has had its front window smashed 11 times by prostitutes who trade directly outside. That
is intimidating behaviour in anyone’s book,” says Mrs Lole-Taylor.
New Zealand First will draft changes to ensure there is the necessary legal clout to deal with street soliciting.
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ENDS