FAMILY FIRST NZ Inc. - MEDIA RELEASE - 16 February 2016

Brothel Fundraiser for Charity Labelled ‘Tacky’

Family First NZ, [a registered charity] says that an
attempt<http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/76929624/south-taranaki-brothel-hosts-open-day-to-fund-school-lunch-programme>
by a South Taranaki brothel to promote its business and normalise prostitution
under the guise of a charitable fundraiser should be rejected by the charity
concerned.

“This is simply a cynical attempt by the sex industry to try and normalise a
business by having an ‘Open Home’ which many in the community will object to.
To then associate prostitution with children and promote the brothel via a
charity feeding children is just tacky,” says Bob McCoskrie, National Director
of Family First NZ.

“How can we be serious about reducing sexual violence against women when
brothels legitimise the sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people?
There is a healthy stigma against prostitution – and for good reason.”

Family First is calling on the Kai Kitchen charity to reject any association
with the brothel and its self-promotion attempts.

“Even the architect of the bill to decriminalise prostitution has
admitted<https://www.familyfirst.org.nz/2013/04/beyer-we-were-naive-liberalising
-prostitution/> that the politicians were naïve regarding the harms to workers,
and the Prime Minister John Key
believes<https://www.familyfirst.org.nz/2012/11/legalisation-of-prostitution-fai
ling-john-key/> the legalisation of prostitution has failed to safeguard sex
workers and bring a halt to underage prostitution.”

“Families don’t want brothels – no matter how large or small – in communities
and located near schools, churches, maraes or family shopping precincts and
restaurants. We are being regularly contacted by families around the country
who are opposed to brothels opening in their community.”

“The association of prostitution with gang and criminal behaviour, alcohol and
drug abuse, underage prostitution, and sexual abuse and violence means that
more and more women and young people are being sentenced to an unacceptable
situation,” says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS