Big Response to Council’s Prostitution Questionnaire

21 November 2003

The Christchurch City Council has received about 1500 public submissions in response to a questionnaire on prostitution issues.

“This fantastic response will greatly assist the Council’s Prostitution Reform Act Subcommittee to consider what, if any new regulations should be introduced as a result of the passing of the Act, earlier this year,” Councillor Sue Wells, chairperson of the Council’s Regulatory and Consents Committee said.

People made their submissions by filling out the questionnaire, which was available on the Council’s website; in local newspapers and through the Council’s residents’ newsletter, City Scene. Submissions closed at 5pm on 13 November.

A total of 107 respondents have asked to give their opinions in person to the Prostitution Reform Act Subcommittee at its hearings on 1 and 2 December.

After considering all the written and verbal submissions, the Subcommittee will make its recommendations to a special Council meeting on 19 December. Any new regulations that may be recommended by the Subcommittee may relate to the new powers given to the Council, under the Prostitution Reform Act, to regulate the location of brothels and the signage of commercial sexual services.

Background

When the Prostitution Reform Act came into being on 28 June, a number of activities became lawful that were previously unlawful, including keeping a brothel; living on the earnings of prostitution; procuring a person for prostitution; and soliciting for the purposes of prostitution. Councils were given two new powers, to regulate the location of brothels and advertising of sexual services.

The questionnaire that was distributed by the Christchurch City Council was designed to gather public comment on whether the Council needed to use these new powers.

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