Say Never Again!

End Criminalisation
put safety first

PUBLIC MEETING
With Prominent International Speaker

As the trial of the five young prostitute women murdered at the end of 2006 is taking place,  Clause 72 (now Clause 105) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill (CJIB) is passing through Parliament, introducing compulsory rehabilitation for prostitute women under threat of imprisonment.  The criminalisation of clients is also being discussed.

CRIMINALISING WOMEN IS NOT THE ANSWER!

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER CATHERINE HEALY

Catherine was appointed by Minister of Justice to the New Zealand Prostitution Law Review Committee.  She is a founding member and the national co-ordinator of the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective.  She gives advice on issues affecting sex workers to international organisations.  She was widely consulted for the publication of A Guide to Occupational Health and Safety in the New Zealand Sex Industry recommended by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee.  She collaborated with researchers from Otago University, Christchurch, on major research into the effects of decriminalisation soon to be published.  In 1993 she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal for her services to women. 

Thursday 24 January 2008 @ 7.30 pm

The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ipswich

ALL WELCOME!

Ipswich & District Trades Union Council

Say – Never Again
End criminalisation - put safety first

The trial of the five young prostitute women murdered at the end of 2006 is taking place at this moment in time.  At the same time Clause 72 (now Clause 105) of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill (CJIB) is passing through Parliament, introducing compulsory rehabilitation for prostitute women under threat of imprisonment.  The criminalisation of clients is also being discussed, supposedly to deal with trafficking. 

Clause 72 is being promoted as an alternative to a fine but it is an additional power.  It requires anyone arrested for loitering or soliciting to attend a series of three meetings with a supervisor approved by the court “to promote rehabilitation, by assisting the offender to address the causes of their involvement in prostitution and to find ways of ending that involvement.”  Women will be humiliated by being asked to reveal intimate circumstances while no resources are being made available to “address the causes”.  Failure to attend will result in a summons back to court and a possible 72-hours imprisonment.  Women may end up on a treadmill of broken supervision meetings, court orders and imprisonment, on top of fines and prison sentences for non-payment of fines.  Even the Magistrates Association has expressed concern.   Are prostitute women ignorant victims, immoral criminals or workers who deserve respect?

In New Zealand they successfully introduced decriminalisation of prostitution in 2003.  Do you want to learn more about what is happening in New Zealand?  Come and hear

Catherine Healy

Thursday 24 January 2008 @ 7.30 pm

The Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ipswich

Catherine was appointed by Minister of Justice to the New Zealand Prostitution Law Review Committee.  She is a founding member and the national co-ordinator of the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective.  She frequently gives advice on issues affecting sex workers to national and international organisations.  She was widely consulted for the publication of A Guide to Occupational Health and Safety in the New Zealand Sex Industry recommended by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee.  She collaborated with researchers from Otago University, Christchurch, on major research into the effects of decriminalisation soon to be published.  In 1993 she was awarded the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal for her services to women. 

All welcome

P&P Ipswich & District TUC.  For more info email: teresa.mackay@ntlworld.com

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