Book takes aim at prostitution

ADRIAN EVANS - stuff.co.nz -  13/07/2012

The fight against street prostitution now has another weapon in its arsenal.

A book to be launched by the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board on Monday reveals the social impact of the sex workers who ply their trade on South Auckland streets.
With true accounts from business owners and residents the 19-page document highlights the challenges on both sides of the kerb.
The book is endorsed by Auckland mayor Len Brown and is supported by neighbouring local boards.
It takes aim at the Prostitute Reform Act (2003) and supports the Auckland Council Bill (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) which is now before Parliament.
Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board's John McCracken is serious about the book's purpose to inform and influence that decision at the highest levels.
"It clarifies our intent which is not to re-criminalise street prostitution; it's about protecting communities and giving the community the ability to say `we're in conflict here and we need some protection'.
"We're not trying to stop street prostitution; we just want to take it away from residential areas," he says.
Under the present act street prostitution is a legal unregulated activity.
But it's the flow-on effects – public harassment, fighting, drug use, defecating in roadside bins – that are wearing down the community after nearly two decades.
That's why legislative change must come from Parliament because "council bylaws have had no effect", Mr McCracken says.
"Members of Parliament are toeing the line, saying that local council bodies already `have the power to change it' and are `why aren't we already doing something?'
"We've been trying to do this for the last 18 years. Agreements with the Prostitutes Collective have gone ignored by the street workers and residents are at their wits end. It's appalling stuff."
The Auckland Council bill calls for more power to be given to local government bodies to ban sex workers from residential, school and sports areas. Fines, powers of arrest and the power to stop suspected vehicles are also proposed.
Mr McCracken says the issue has received strong support from Justice Minister Judith Collins and Manurewa-based National list MP Cam Calder.