A ban on solicitation of sex on Hamilton streets could be tossed out if Hamilton city councillors agree with a sex workers' union lawyer who says it's illegal. Councillors were told the bulk of its bylaw is legal and enforceable except for the solicitation aspect. Under Hamilton's district plan, brothels are retail activities. Managed brothels must be certified and located in permitted areas and not within m of schools, marae and places of worship.
Home-based brothels, under Hamilton rules, allow two people to operate where one person is a resident. City growth general manager Jen Baird said the legal advice is clear. That provision in our bylaw is considered to not be legal," Baird said. NZPC is concerned council rules endorse the vulnerability of sex workers who, if in breach of the bylaws, are unwilling to report violent offending to police.
Mayor Andrew King said cities around the country have street sex work scenes but none in Hamilton. He asked if it was the result of regulation. Sweetman said no. The number of street workers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch has decreased since the reforms. Sweetman replied: "We think that has more to do with the internet and cell phones and the ability to work indoors.
The reason those cities still have it and you don't is because those cities always have and you haven't.
Hamilton's Prostitution Bylaw will go before a council meeting on March A public consultation round is proposed for March 18 to April 18 with hearings in May. Sex workers in the city not likely as Hamilton grapples with rules. John Bisset. Prostitution was decriminalised in and councils were given two areas in which it could apply regulations - location and signage. A ban on solicitation in public places in Hamilton has been called illegal file photo.
