New Zealand Decrim - Possible Example for Canada & U.S.
In my view much of the failure to decriminalize (decrim) private consenting adult sexwork in the U.S. is the street hooker issue. In Canada its been an obstacle for reforming the bawdy house and agency restrictions. New Zealand maybe has a balanced approach we can learn from and help reform movements in the U.S. and Canada.
New Zealand's public pressure to reverse decrim of street hookers.
New Zealand is used as an example by the decrim advocates of what they want to achieve in Canada and other countries. The decrim zealots want to make street solicitation legal which is a failed concept in almost all of the world where its been tried. Even special zones set up in Europe have mostly resulted in more crime, child trafficking and have been failures.
Yet the decrim zealots want to force the public to accept street hookers rights to be "in the face" of the public, regardless of how upset the public is.
Since private sexwork, with various restrictions for incalls, is already legal in most of the world except the U.S. the decrim issue in most countries centers on public street hookers.
Press Release: Manukau City Council (3rd largest city in New Zealand)
24 November 2005
Manukau City Council is seeking strong support from all MPs for the successful passage through Parliament of two local bills on prostitution which were introduced to the House on 22 November. The bills will undergo their first reading on 7 December and if successful will be referred to a select committee.
Mayor Sir Barry Curtis who has advocated long and hard on both issues says, “I appeal to Manukau residents: if you want change, lobby your local MP on both issues. In September a rally was held at Hunters Corner against prostitution and a petition was signed supporting both bills which has been sent to Parliament.
“You have the power to help bring about change and clean up your environment. Wednesday 7 December is our biggest hurdle to clear. We need to raise awareness of the bills’ importance for our city and gain support of MPs so that they pass their first reading. I, along with Councillors and Council officials, will be continuing to lobby hard to bring about change to improve the quality of life for our residents. “This week I am sending a letter to the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown and all Members of Parliament summarising the bills and requesting their support.”
The Local Bill on street prostitution aims to give authorities the powers to prevent street prostitution by prohibiting soliciting in public places in Manukau City. This applies to both street prostitutes and their clients and to nuisance conduct connected with street prostitution. It also provides Police with powers to request information, to issue instant fines of $500, to arrest suspected offenders, and to prosecute offenders in Court that may result in a fine of up to $10,000.
Sir Barry says, “The Bill is part of a multi-pronged approach to limit prostitution to legally established brothels. The Bill does not re-criminalise prostitution in the whole of the City. Prostitution would continue within safe, regulated and lawfully established brothels (outcalls have always been legal of course as in most of the world except the U.S.). Street prostitution is not conducive to any of the aims of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which aims to safeguard the health and safety of sex workers and limit persons in that industry to those over 18 years of age.”
Continued
In my view much of the failure to decriminalize (decrim) private consenting adult sexwork in the U.S. is the street hooker issue. In Canada its been an obstacle for reforming the bawdy house and agency restrictions. New Zealand maybe has a balanced approach we can learn from and help reform movements in the U.S. and Canada.
New Zealand's public pressure to reverse decrim of street hookers.
New Zealand is used as an example by the decrim advocates of what they want to achieve in Canada and other countries. The decrim zealots want to make street solicitation legal which is a failed concept in almost all of the world where its been tried. Even special zones set up in Europe have mostly resulted in more crime, child trafficking and have been failures.
Yet the decrim zealots want to force the public to accept street hookers rights to be "in the face" of the public, regardless of how upset the public is.
Since private sexwork, with various restrictions for incalls, is already legal in most of the world except the U.S. the decrim issue in most countries centers on public street hookers.
Press Release: Manukau City Council (3rd largest city in New Zealand)
24 November 2005
Manukau City Council is seeking strong support from all MPs for the successful passage through Parliament of two local bills on prostitution which were introduced to the House on 22 November. The bills will undergo their first reading on 7 December and if successful will be referred to a select committee.
Mayor Sir Barry Curtis who has advocated long and hard on both issues says, “I appeal to Manukau residents: if you want change, lobby your local MP on both issues. In September a rally was held at Hunters Corner against prostitution and a petition was signed supporting both bills which has been sent to Parliament.
“You have the power to help bring about change and clean up your environment. Wednesday 7 December is our biggest hurdle to clear. We need to raise awareness of the bills’ importance for our city and gain support of MPs so that they pass their first reading. I, along with Councillors and Council officials, will be continuing to lobby hard to bring about change to improve the quality of life for our residents. “This week I am sending a letter to the Prime Minister, Ministers of the Crown and all Members of Parliament summarising the bills and requesting their support.”
The Local Bill on street prostitution aims to give authorities the powers to prevent street prostitution by prohibiting soliciting in public places in Manukau City. This applies to both street prostitutes and their clients and to nuisance conduct connected with street prostitution. It also provides Police with powers to request information, to issue instant fines of $500, to arrest suspected offenders, and to prosecute offenders in Court that may result in a fine of up to $10,000.
Sir Barry says, “The Bill is part of a multi-pronged approach to limit prostitution to legally established brothels. The Bill does not re-criminalise prostitution in the whole of the City. Prostitution would continue within safe, regulated and lawfully established brothels (outcalls have always been legal of course as in most of the world except the U.S.). Street prostitution is not conducive to any of the aims of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, which aims to safeguard the health and safety of sex workers and limit persons in that industry to those over 18 years of age.”
Continued
