Page 3150 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 August 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
ACT, (b) age of each of these women and (c) action taken against each brothel they were found at;
(7) What are the legal consequences that brothels would face and what is the process involved for the removal of their license to operate, where a brothel in the ACT has been found to have underage and or trafficked women to be working in it, whether through a raid or other means.
Mr Corbell: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1)
|
Commercial Operator Brothels |
1 |
|
Commercial Operator Escort Agencies |
1 |
|
Commercial Operator Brothel & Escort Agencies |
13 |
|
Total Commercial Operators |
15 |
|
Sole Operator Brothels |
3 |
|
Sole Operator Escort Agencies |
3 |
|
Sole Operator Brothel & Escort Agencies |
16 |
|
Total Sole Operators |
19 |
|
Total all brothels and/or escort agencies |
34 |
(2)
Yes – the department is of the view that it is likely that a number of unregistered sex providers are currently operating in the ACT. When the department becomes aware of the existence of unregistered sex providers this information is referred to ACT Policing.
It should be noted that under the Prostitution Act 1992 (the Act) there is currently no requirement for sex providers working in a commercial brothel or escort agency to be registered. The principal business is required to be registered but not the employees.
(3)
Yes – the Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) and ACT Policing have through intelligence and/or investigations discovered the existence of unregistered sex providers in the ACT. One charge has been laid for an unregistered sex provider operating in the ACT.
Although the ORS does not have an enforcement role, in the 2007-08 period the ORS has referred 3 complaints involving unregistered sex providers to ACT Policing. Details of the actions taken cannot be provided as this information relates to on going enquiries involving ACT Policing and in some cases the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
(4)
There are no known records of refused registrations. I am advised that there is in fact no power to refuse registration under the Act.
(5)
Yes- Seven raids/planned visits to brothels have taken place in this timeframe. I am advised that the ACT Policing will arrange the raids or accompany other agencies that may have initiated the visit, such as DIAC.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .