Lessons to learn on Legislation to Decriminalise prostitution

[Guest guest]

Dear All

This is an article that appeared in the Deccan Herald dated 1st July. For those

oscillating between rights of sex workers and the efficacy of rehabilitation

programs in place, this should serve as an eye-opener. Trust it does.

Deccan Herald 1st July 2008. Legislation. Decriminalise prostitution

By Healy

What can the UK learn from New Zealands approach to sex workers? Quite a lot,

actually. On June 25, sex workers and brothel operators mingled in parliament

with a range of people Catholic nuns, public health experts, and politicians to

mark the fifth anniversary of the decriminalisation of prostitution. Even the

prime minster, Helen , dropped in to pass comment on the success of giving

rights to sex workers.

Throughout the day, participants heard from researchers who had been

commissioned by the ministry of justice included in the legislation was a

requirement that a committee, appointed by the justice minister, be established

to review the law and to assess its impact on the sex industry within five

years.

It was no surprise to me that these researchers found overwhelming evidence to

contradict the wild claims of opponents to the Prostitution Reform Act.

Opponents had claimed that, as a consequence of liberalising the law, brothels

would create havoc in every neighbourhood, with thugs moving in to traffic women

and children. Yet none of these claims came true.

One researcher surveyed 772 sex workers from across the country, while the other

interviewed government and non-government stakeholders, including labour and

health officials, and brothel operators, about their reaction to

decriminalisation.

The overwhelming response to the legislation has been positive. Police have

moved from clogging courts with prosecutions for soliciting to preventing

violence against sex workers. As one said: now, if I have any trouble, I can

pull out my phone and call the cops, and they will come. We may be a small

country, but we are part of the Asia-Pacific rim with its dynamic migration

patterns. Motivated by claims of trafficking, immigration officials have raided

brothels, seeking victims. They haven’t found any. As one sex worker told the

audience: I can stand up for myself. My boss may be an idiot, but he won’t try

to push me around. I know the law.

The chair of the prostitution law review committee” a retired police

commissioner and one time vice cop” said that people were gobsmacked when he

told them the committee had found that many sex workers enjoy their work.

Researchers confirmed that many sex workers don’t want rescuing” they want

rights.

The committee concluded that the act has had a marked effect in safeguarding the

human rights of sex workers and improving their occupational safety and health.

I believe the UK could reorient its laws to achieve this reality. And the sky

won’t fall in.

Guardian

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jul12008/panorama2008063076236.asp

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Sreeram

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