Page 5322 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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and one of the traditional safety valves has been prostitution. This has been the case for centuries for men and, with the more open and aggressive roles for women emerging in our society, will no doubt be more so for women in the future.
MANAGING PROSTITUTION
7. Once prostitution is recognised as a necessary evil in society, then the nature of its exercise becomes the primary concern. The church then directs its focus to the effects upon the people concerned and its impact upon the general community.
The Statement places great emphasis upon the rights of sex workers. That may well be the jargon of the day and yet another part of -the demand for rights we hear from all sections of the community. No doubt the Committee will look.closely at the equivalent responsibilities those who claim rights can be expected to bear.
8. The church would prefer to see the role of each individual in the light of Christian understandings of the uniqueness of .each person, their sacredness in Gods eyes and our responsibility to treat each one as an equal.
9. It is clear that in the past many women have been forced into prostitution by economic necessity. In a time of recession, people in difficult economic circumstances (like single mothers with children) are undoubtedly vulnerable to this kind of pressure., It is good to read of the Committees concern to ensure that such oppression will not continue, and retraining schemes, must be made available to,those who wish to give up prostitution.
10. It is the problem of, AIDS which has caused this Select Committee to be set up: Hence the health of prostitutes and clients is of vital importance .to the whole community. There must be-ways of ensuring safe sex and regular medical inspection.
11. The safety of prostitutes and confidentiality of their relationships must be ensured for the benefit of the whole community. Any standover tactics mist be eliminated, including those of tradesmen (The Statement, p.3).
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