Bylaw targets streetwalkers

By RENEE KIRIONA

Prostitutes will be banned from Hunter's Corner in Papatoetoe if a bylaw to get rid of street walkers is passed.

The Manukau City Council will vote on a bylaw on May 27 that forbids prostitution in public places and if it is passed it will become the first local authority to outlaw the activity.

But sex workers believe the proposed bylaw, to be enforced by police, goes against the Prostitution Reform Bill passed last year, which made it legal to solicit in public.

Council clean environment manager Mohammed Hassan said advice was being sought on whether its plan was legal. "There's no way we'll overstep the law but we felt we needed to go this way for the sake and safety of the community," he said.

"We've received feedback from the community about fighting in the areas where they [prostitutes] work, used condoms and needles being found in the streets and intimidation by the prostitutes."

Mama Tere, who runs a support service for gay and transgender prostitutes near Hunter's Corner, said the bylaw would not solve the problem.

"It will only force street workers further underground just like the old central government law did.

"If they want to make things safe then they need to cut down on the number of pubs and gambling outlets in this place and generate more employment."

Mama Tere also accused the council of wanting to become a legitimate pimp through collecting fines from those caught breaking the bylaw.

"The council will become just another pimp. Like the brothel owners and other middle men, they want to get a cut too.

"These people work the streets because they are in control and don't have to give any middle man who has sat on his butt all day a share of their sweets."

Kate Dickie, the Auckland coordinator for the Prostitutes Collective, said the bylaw was ridiculous.

"The rule will make it harder for people like Mama and us to help street prostitutes because while they'll still be working they'll be harder to find.

"The message the council is sending is very different from that of central government and I think it has not properly thought through what it is actually doing."