Brothels Should Be Banned From Residential Areas

Family First NZ is repeating its call for law changes to the Prostitution Reform Act in order to protect families and communities from brothels in residential areas and from the ongoing problems with street prostitution.

“The ongoing problems throughout the country have been once again highlighted by the experience of families in Epsom, Auckland. Brothels – no matter how large or small – simply shouldn’t be in residential areas or near sensitive sites such as schools, churches or maraes,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ.

“And street prostitution continues to plague communities 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 naïve decriminalisation of prostitution has affected both residential areas and family shopping areas and the local councils have been powerless to act,” says Mr McCoskrie.

“Accounts of home brothels (SOOB’s) where men willing to pay for sex are visiting nearby homes trying to find the brothel, and concerns about noise, traffic, intimidation, and late-night visits are common experiences from having a brothel in a residential street or next to a school.”

In a poll of 1,000 people undertaken by Curia Market Research in 2011, 66% wanted brothels banned in residential areas, 26% disagreed, and the remainder (8%) were either unsure or refused to answer. More women than men wanted the ban.

“New Zealanders are giving the government the green light to get the red light out of residential and family shopping areas – yet the government is pathetically weak in its response, dragging a current bill before parliament regarding the problems of street prostitution slowly through its select committee stage, and ignoring a private members bill from NZ First MP Asenati Lole-Taylor. Both these bills would go a long way towards dealing with this issue,” says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

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