Prostitution Manchester Street

Andrew from Christchurch Central

GOOD NEWS - The Council are going to do something . . .

They are going to defer the meeting on street prostitution until the 25th May.

BAD NEWS - That's about it . . .

Yep, that's about all the council are planning to do. I quote Dr Karleen Edwards (Chief Executive) in an email today 'I reiterate from my April email . . . the matters are complex to address from an enforcement perspective due to the decriminalisation of prostitution activities in 2003, as well as the limitations in dealing with this particular conduct and associated nuisances via the traditional enforcement tools available to Council.'

That is Council speak for 'it ain't going to happen.'

It is frustrating that if you are connected and live on the west of the city you can have the future foreign affairs minister (Gerry Brownlee) metaphorically jumping up and down on the 6 o'clock news in support of your cause (the 'distasteful' operation of a funeral parlour in a residential area - give me strength) but for this disgusting 24/7 depravity on the east of the city . . . well, we get a half hearted compliance officer, whose best effort and advice is 'feel free to ring via the CCC call centre'.

For Dr Edwards half hearted is good enough, she states 'I am satisfied that Regulatory Compliance staff respond professionally and appropriately to complaints and requests for service.'

Really Dr Edwards?

New Zealand clearly has some way to go to shed its endemic banana republic governance mentality.

But cheers for that Christchurch City Council.

So, if you still want change, even more reason to sign the petition if you haven't already done so.

Please see this link in The Press:www.stuff.co.nz...

Please read the article. Two things stand out for me

1: New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective (NZPC) South Island liaison Tracy Palmer said 'the sex workers had the right to be there'. That is just not true, Prostitutes have no lawful purpose loitering outside your house. They pay no fees for the 'right' to ply their trade in the same way a legitimate trader would have to. They commit offences by their behaviour while they are there.

2: Council strategic policy head Helen Beaumont said 'Prostitution is not illegal in New Zealand and there is little the council can do to reduce this activity.' Just out of interest, the only H Beaumont I could find listed in White Pages in the Christchurch or surrounding area lives in Hororata, and I was unable to trace a listed councillor living in areas blighted by prostitution. The problem doesn't affect them, they do not have to live with it, drive through it, or be careful even where they step through it . . . as I said, THE COUNCIL IS PLANNING TO DO NOTHING.

Don't let them get away with it.

Following a request from Neighbourly I have revised the below post regarding prostitution on Manchester Street. There is a council meeting on May 4th to determine what if any action the council will take on this matter. Currently it is not looking like much. If you haven't already signed the petition to Council and you want to see change, please do so here: secure.avaaz.org...

Stuff recently highlighted that prostitution was affecting residential areas north of Bealey Avenue, (www.stuff.co.nz...) it is more widespread than that, and extends down at least as far as the Margaret Mahy Playground, possibly further.

Personally I am fed up being offered sexual services when I'm walking my dog at 6am in the morning. I'm fed up having to watch where my dog walks in case of needles. I'm fed up having prostitutes leering at me in my car to see if I'm a potential punter just when I drive to and from my home address, and I am right over them exposing their breasts backsides and genitalia in broad daylight on some occasions when I have driven by - I have to, I live here. The last time was at around 5pm in the afternoon at the same time the school children were cycling back to town from their rowing

I'm fed up having condoms dropped on the verge outside where I live, and am struggling to get the image out of my mind of the prostitute defecating in full view, one morning when I left for work.

I am not a prude, and this is not a religious crusade. Personally I cannot understand why any woman would willingly do this, but I very clearly understand the social conditions that result in some women resorting to this activity. I was a UK police officer for 25 years and am well aware of the social conditions that result in and from this activity. I do however despair of men who clearly have no self respect, or respect for the women they use and abuse, to keep this sordid trade going.

I am fed up with the Police and the Council washing their hands.

Parliament legalised prostitution, so local government is left with the responsibility for dealing with the social fall out - but they do need to deal with it. You have the chance to have your say, but please do so and sign the petition before May 4th.