CYF acts over teen stripper

Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro is investigating how a 15-year-old girl who escaped Child, Youth and Family care twice last night could work as a stripper in Nelson.

Her father wants the bar she worked at closed after his daughter, whom he said had been stripping for several weeks, was found there by police.

Police have also received a complaint about a 16-year-old girl stripping at the club.

Trish Grant, advocacy manager in the office of the Children's Commissioner, said yesterday that Dr Kiro was seeking a report on the circumstances that resulted in the 15-year-old being employed as a stripper.

It was not illegal for teenagers to work specifically as strippers, but there was plenty of other legislation that should have prevented the situation occurring, she said.

"We don't need other laws. We have very good pieces of legislation ... but we just need them to be applied in an effective way."

CYF, police and education authorities had statutory responsibilities that could be applied to such a case, she said.

The girl's father said he wanted law changes making it illegal for teenagers to work in strip clubs.

Nelson MP Nick Smith has written to Dr Kiro asking for an inquiry into why the girl had not attended school for "many months" and had been working in the sex industry while in CYF care.

CYF spokeswoman Christine Langdon said the agency was extremely concerned for the young woman, and the priority was to keep her safe. The teenager had been in CYF care since November 12, at her family's request.

Detective Sergeant Mark Kaveney of Nelson said the club owner had not broken any laws. It is illegal for people under 18 to work as prostitutes, but not as strippers.

Although a 15-year-old could work legally as a stripper under new sex laws, her age may mean the club where she worked had breached other legislation, Mr Kaveney said.

Licensed brothels and premises with liquor licences cannot employ staff under 18. There may also be "other issues" for the club at stake under the Education Act, Child, Youth and Families Act, and Employment Act, he said. Police would talk to the club about those concerns.

- NZPA