Page 5328 - Week 16 - Thursday, 28 November 1991
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SUBMISSION TO THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HIV ILLEGAL DRUGS
AND PROSTITUTION - LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
GENERAL COMMENTS
Respect for the dignity of the human person must be the primary consideration in the matter under discussion. Whether or not prostitution is the worlds oldest profession, it is a clear case of exploitation of the women (and of the men) involved. Consideration needs to be given to the dignity of the prostitute, of the client, and of other people affected by prostitution. Governments have a duty to protect and promote the well-being of their citizens and of the environment in which they live.
In other words, the civil law has a duty to protect individual rights and to promote the common good. Obviously it is not within the power of Governments to eliminate all forms- of immoral behaviour but whatever steps are possible should be taken to discourage it and to reduce its. impact on the community.
The terms of reference at times adopt a stance which would say that immoral behaviour . is of no concern to Government. Where does that leave us with regard to murder, rape, stealing, fraud or the exploitation of children?
The Catholic Church has always condemned the immorality of prostitution because of the illicit sexual activity, its violence to marriage, and more particularly because of the degradation, exploitation and attack on the dignity of the persons involved. Historically, the Catholic church has tried to do what is possible to help prostitutes to escape from their enslavement and to be rehabilitated. Currently, there are two Good Shepherd Sisters working among prostitutes at Kings Cross in Sydney.
It seems that up until recent. years, prostitution was not widely evident in Canberra, and that currently it is confined to Fyshwick which appears to have "boomed" as the centre for pornographic videos arid other "adult" products.
Canberra would be done a great disservice if any legislation, were to appear -to be condoning .prostitution and encouraging its spread. At least it appears to be contained at the moment. It would surely be a backward step for the people of Canberra if they were to be subjected to soliciting on the. streets as is so evident in parts of Sydney and
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