Males make up majority of prostitutes arrested

By HELEN TUNNAH

More than half of the 354 people arrested for soliciting in the past five years were men.

Labour MP Tim Barnett, who sponsored the law change to decriminalise prostitution, said police figures also showed half those arrested were Maori or Pacific Island people.

That meant the law change was not just a women's issue, but a gay issue and an issue of human rights.

" ... so it's the brown men. They're the ones the police go for first," he said. "It's an interesting reflection of the way our society works - it doesn't reflect the range of workers on the streets."

The Prostitution Reform Bill, which will begin to come into effect from early next week, means soliciting is no longer illegal.

The bill was passed in a conscience vote by MPs 60-59 this week, with Muslim MP Dr Ashraf Choudhary abstaining.

Mr Barnett said his colleague had opposed the bill for religious reasons but agreed with attempts to improve the safety of sex workers.

"In a sense it is a braver decision than voting for or against, because you are going to be one or two, rather than one of 60."