[papilio]

I've been writing about ethical dilemmas, one of which is prostitution, given that it is technically illegal here in Australia. In particular I've been exploring the feminist perspective of prostitution, both the arguments for and against it.

New Zealand has decriminalised it, which I found interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7927461.stm

[JAPN]

I thought brothel work was legal in Victoria.

[jogret]

I've been writing about ethical dilemmas, one of which is prostitution, given that it is technically illegal here in Australia. In particular I've been exploring the feminist perspective of prostitution, both the arguments for and against it.

New Zealand has decriminalised it, which I found interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7927461.stm

I am in Vic, and I was under the impression it was legal here, in licensed brothels?

I used to live in St Kilda, right in the thick of illegal street prostitution and it was not a nice atmosphere. I used to see so many very young girls... they looked so vulnerable. I can only imagine that conditions would be much better in a licensed brothel.

I think it should be legal, but not on the streets. It's just too dangerous for the women and men who do it.

[papilio]

I think different states have different laws, I've been looking at SA. Happy to be corrected

[red door]

it is legal, and you really only need council approval if you have more then a few people working in one place. I am not sure of exact ratio. It is illegal to solicit.- this is taken from act now-

Prostitution and the law

The laws concerning prostitution around the world are many and varied. In some countries prostitution is illegal and all people involved are treated as criminals, while in others, authorities turn a blind eye to the industry. A number of countries recognise that sex workers are often the victims of exploitation, so it is legal to be a prostitute but illegal to be a client or a ‘pimp’.

In Australia, prostitution laws vary from state to state. ‘Street work’, which involves soliciting whilst walking along a street or waiting at a street corner, is illegal in all states except New South Wales. Brothels are legal, providing the owner has a permit from local government, in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and one-woman brothels are permitted in the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. However, receiving money for prostitution in a brothel is prohibited in South Australia and allowing premises to be used as a brothel is an offence in the Northern Territory. On the other hand, procuring the services of a prostitute is illegal in all states except Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, which only prohibit clients of underage prostitutes.


This post has been edited by red door: 02/10/2010, 08:25 PM

[blueberrymuffin]

Yes, I think it should be legalised. In registererd brothels, not out on the street.

They can pay taxes. Girls can be protected at the brothels instead of out on their own in the street. Police or other government will need to supervise closely.

[*~*Melinda*~*]

NSW is also legal I think

[Theophobic]

Tricky. Being from NZ I'm used to the idea of it being legal but there is a really grey area of legislation and governing that needs to go hand in hand with legalisation.

[Sloane Peterson]

It's actually decriminalised in NSW. Legal in some other states. Not all.

[Guest_Shauna+Molly+Annie_*]

In my very own town we have a legal brothel. Its not in a commercial or residential area but in a industrial area.
Due to this it got very little protest when it opened.
It even had an open day when it opened at boasted employing 15 full time employees.

If you go through the yellow pages (I am in vic) you will see hundreds of escort agencies. All legal.

So in Vic the only thing that is illegal is street walkers and and unlicensed brothels.

It seems to work well.

I personally have no problem with these legal prostitues and I believe they do a necessary service.