Quick Links
Topics
Prostitution in VictoriaVictoria was the first state in Australia to legalise prostitution in 1984. In 1994, the legislation was expanded and brothels were fully legalised. What are the consequences of the legalisation of prostitution in Victoria? The law was based on a harm minimisation approach, a position which Mary Lucille Sullivan, author of Making Sex Work, says "accepts the inevitability of prostitution". Some Christians supported the legalisation of prostitution thinking it would 'help the girls'. In 2001, I wrote an article analysing the situation since Victoria legalised prostitution called Prostitution in Victoria - the effects of legalisation. The situation in Victoria In 1984, the Cain Labor government passed The Planning (Brothels) Act. This was followed by the Prostitution Regulation Act in 1996 and major amendments were made in 1994 with the Prostitution Control Act. The 1994 Act licensed brothels, making it an offence to work in prostitution except in licensed brothels or small owner-operated brothels (in other words, a home is acceptable). All prostitution service providers have to obtain a licence - this is overseen by the Business Licensing Authority. Prior to the legalisation of brothels in 1994, there were about 50 illegal brothels. Following legalisation, the numbers escalated quickly. By 2001, there were approximately 80-90 legal brothels (some of them quite large and actively promoted), numerous escort agencies and a growing number (estimated 1500) of registered single operators. In 1999 police estimated there were more than 100 illegal brothels in 1999 police estimated there were more than 100 illegal brothels. Subsequent recent estimates claim there are up to 400 illegal brothels. Street prostitution has also escalated sharply. This led to proposals in 2002 from the Victorian government, and the local Port Phillip Council suggesting 'tolerance zones' for street prostitution and even state-run hotels which would rent rooms by the half-hour! Trafficking of overseas women to work in illegal brothels has increased and court cases have ensued. A recent call at the 2020 Summit, by a representative of the prostitution industry, was for overseas women to be given visas so they could 'legally' come to Australia to work in brothels! Initially the 1994 Act set up the Prostitution Control Board and an Advisory Committee, which include prostitutes and government representatives, to regulate the industry. However, the Board did not meet regularly and failed ito regulate it. In 2000 the Prostitution Control Board was replaced by a general Business Licensing Authority with no specialist knowledge. Prior to legalisation, a group called the Prostitutes Collective acted as a lobby group calling for decriminalisation. After prostitution was legalised, the group became an 'industry group' - it even received government funding to support prostitutes and supervise health checks. The Victorian Health and Community Services Department provided $290,000 in 1995. The program was later re-named "Resourcing Health Education for the Sex Industry". The industry group is now called 'The Scarlett Alliance'. The legalisation of prostitution in Victoria has led to more brothels, more women (and men) working in brothels or as private operators or on the streets, more women trafficked in sex slavery from overseas, and an increase in the degradation of women and men! In addition to my article attached below, I include some other references and articles on prostitution in Victoria: CATWA They have a number of publications: Mary has also written a 28 page essay called: |