The Mayhem of Prostitution Reform Bill

In favour
 Facts

Myth #1 Prostitution is a free choice
  • Most prostitutes want to leave the industry.
  • Most prostitutes have suffered sexual abuse before entering prostitution, conditioning them to further abuse.
  • Prostitution by it’s very nature is harmful to women
  • Decriminalisation will not reduce exploitation or coersion
(Suzanne Hatty, “Violence Against Prostitute Women: Social and Legal Dilemmas”, Australian Journal of Social Issues 24, November 1989: 235-48.)
  • Decriminalisation will not move prostitutes off the street and into the “safety” of parlours
Raymond Miller, massage parlour owner in NZ for 30 years says “It can confidently be predicted that decriminalization will at least double or treble those choosing to operate [as private operators] because the fear of prosecution is removed.”

Myth #2 Decriminalisation will improve health and safety
  • Health risks increase under decriminalisation
  • Abuse will increase under decriminalisation
“Market forces in the sex industry create business profit by exploiting any desire that will be brought.” states the Auckland Massage Parlour Operators’ submission on the Bill.

The most compassionate way to help prostitutes is to deter as many women as possible from entering the industry and help as many as possible to leave.

Myth #3 Decriminalisation will
reduce trafficking and clean up prostitution
  • Trafficking of women will increase to meet demand
There are 500 Thai women already working in prostitution in Auckland and police report that abuse of these workers is an ongoing problem. Based on overseas experience, decriminalisation will be a welcome mat to traffickers.

  • Drug abuse and criminal activity will increase
Bob Harkness, the chairperson of Drug-Arm in Christchurch says that drugs and prostitution are inextricably linked. Bob is regularly working with street prostitutes in Christchurch and estimates that 75-80% are using drugs. Australian estimates put the figure at 85%.

Myth #4 Decriminalisation will reduce child prostitution
  • Child prostitution increases in a decriminalised environment
The majority of children start in prostitution because they have suffered sexual abuse, come from dysfunctional homes, or are financing a drug habit. The Prostitution Reform Bill does not address these issues and under the new law it will not be illegal for a girl under the age of 18 to solicit for sex.

In Australia over 3700 children under 18 are selling their bodies for sex. A 1999 United Nations Save the Children report found that the States of Victoria (legalised mid 1980s) and New South Wales (decriminalised 1995) are the two worst States for child prostitution.

Myth #5 Decriminalisation does not condone prostitution
  • The very nature of law is to approve or disapprove something.
Passing the Prostitution Reform Bill will be seen as giving approval to prostitution, normalising the activity.
  • Decriminalisation equals normalisation.
Decriminalising sends the message that sex is an acceptable commodity for sale. Is this what we want to teach our children?
The principal of a Tauranga college has complained that pimps have approached girls outside his school gates in an attempt to recruit them. If prostitution is treated as any other business, girls will get the message that it is a career option and an acceptable way to make money.

Myth #6 Decriminalisation is the only option

In a compassionate, civilised society men should not be able to buy women, and New Zealand law should reflect this principle.


  • Decriminalisation is not the only alternative to the present law.
A better solution for New Zealand would be to adopt a law similar to the one introduced by the Swedish government in 1999 which prosecutes the purchaser of sexual services, thus targeting the demand. It is part of a total approach which aims to prevent violence against women and help them out of prostitution by providing a range of social service programmes.

 In Summary why the Prostitution Reform Bill won’t work

Prostitution law reform has been tested marketed in Australia. The closest example to what is proposed in New Zealand is New South Wales (NSW) where prostitution was decriminalised in 1995. The experience in NSW, plus evidence from New Zealand and other countries is compelling. Decriminalisation of prostitution not only fails to deliver, it contributes to worsening the problems inherent in the sex industry.


1. The size of the industry will increase - the Bill removes virtually all controls over population industry, which will lead to significant expansion.

2. Decriminalisation will not reduce the number of under-age children working the streets - the Bill removes all police involvement and takes away from police their ability to require proof of age from young girls.

3. The rate of sexually transmitted disease will increase - the Bill will not be effective in promoting the occupational safety and health of sex workers.

4. The number of illegal brothels will not decrease - the Bill removes all controls over who can own or manage a brothel

5. It will not remove prostitutes from the streets - the Bill provides no controls over soliciting.

6. Drug use will saturate the industry and the environment - the Bill allows brothels to be established anywhere, including alongside schools, churches and residential areas.

7. There will be an increase in control by gangs, organised crime and violence against prostitutes - the Bill provides no system for complaints against a brothel and no resources for local authorities who will be required to deal with public complaints.

8. There will be an increase in illegal immigrants and ‘slavery’ - the Bill provides no regulations, codes or licencing arrangements.

9. Advertising and recruitment will become more blatant - the Bill proposes no controls on advertising by brothels beyond some limited powers regarding signage.

In Conclusion

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.