NationStates Jolt Archive


Police remove hooker aged 12

Hobovillia
25-01-2006, 20:51
"Police have swooped to remove several young prostitutes – among them a 12-year-old – from Christchurch streets, confirming the existence of a sordid under-age sex trade.

Inspector Gary Knowles, of the Christchurch police, said officers removed four under-age prostitutes from the streets last week, including one who was only 12, as they began a crackdown on young sex workers.

Authorities and child-protection groups have expressed disgust, and a former prostitute has pleaded for young girls to avoid sex work. Prostitution is legal only for people aged 18 and over.

The police swoop was part of promised action on the teenage prostitute problem after a noticeable increase in their numbers on the streets.

"There's no doubt it's happening. Front-line staff are telling us there is an increase. We have had enough of it," Knowles said.

Police had returned girls to their homes or to Child, Youth and Family care.

"We are doing it for their own protection. They are subjected to not just violence, but also social diseases," he said.

The concern for prostitutes had grown since the murder of prostitutes Suzie Sutherland, 36, and Anna Wilson, 24, last year.

AdvertisementAdvertisementKnowles said police were frustrated that some girls were returning to the streets soon after they were picked up by the police.

"(In one case), as soon as we took her home she was virtually out there straight away," he said.

"The mothers and fathers or caregivers of these girls need to take ownership."

One former under-age prostitute has made a plea to young girls to think twice about getting involved with prostitution and drugs.

The woman told The Press she was concerned for the safety of teenage girls getting into sex work.

She was the victim of an alleged sexual violation when she was 15.

"You find yourself living with embarrassment. It's a feeling you have to live with for the rest of your life. It damages your soul and your spirit," she said.

Many of the girls were doing it for drugs, and they needed to think seriously about stopping, she said."Is one shot of a drug worth the rest of your life being ruined?"

Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro said the situation was unacceptable, and Christchurch was one of only two noted areas for child prostitution in New Zealand, along with South Auckland.

"It is unacceptable that people use those services and it is unacceptable that children may see that as a possible profession," she said.

The director of anti-child-prostitution group Ecpat, Jane Foster, described the police revelation as "a sad indictment".

"This is New Zealand in 2006 and men are buying sex from 12-year-olds. This is not good enough," she said.

Knowles said the primary police focus at the moment was getting young girls off the streets, and then they would start looking at tracking down the men who had knowingly bought under-age sex.

"The legislation is designed to protect children put into prostitution. If people are knowingly having sex with minors, they expose themselves to prosecution," he said.

Prostitutes' Collective spokes woman Anna Reed said she hoped police would focus on the buyers just as much as the girls.

"They (the girls) tend to run away back to the street if that's where they want to be, but if they can cut their income supply that would be more effective."

The young ones would just hide when the police came if they only targeted the workers, and if they were driven underground that could worsen the situation.

Reed said it was "very worrying" to hear that someone as young as 12 was working the streets.

"It is very unsafe for a 12-year-old to be out on the streets."

She said many of the older prostitutes were concerned about teenage prostitutes as they had children of their own, and did not think it was safe for young girls.

The Press has recorded just one case of a person convicted for buying sex from a girl under 18 years since the Prostitution Reform Act was introduced in 2003, despite reports in The Press two years ago that young teenagers were selling themselves for drugs, alcohol and food.

Labour MP for Christchurch Central and proponent of the Prostitution Reform Act Tim Barnett said he was saddened to hear under-age workers were operating, but it was something that had happened off and on for a long time. There was no evidence the new law had increased under-age prostitutes on the streets.

He felt that, if anything, the law would have improved the situation, by increasing the penalty for clients of under-age workers. "The new law made it a significant offence ... a maximum of seven years in prison." Reed felt the new legislation had helped with the overall situation.

"Prior to the law change people were afraid to go to the police. Now there is a better rapport with them. violence is being reported and they are acting on it. It shows the law is working," she said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3551542a11,00.html
Maegi
25-01-2006, 20:57
One thing I found especially amusing in the advice of older prostitutes. To underage prostitutes who are doing it for drugs - "Is one shot of a drug worth the rest of your life being ruined?" This seems to point to the opinion that sex is worse than drugs. Power to priorities.
Heron-Marked Warriors
25-01-2006, 20:57
So what's with the thumbs down at them removing these kids? :p

Sorry, sorry
Newtsburg
25-01-2006, 21:03
This is sick. SICK I say!

I really hate humanity.
Minoriteeburg
25-01-2006, 21:05
So what's with the thumbs down at them removing these kids? :p

Sorry, sorry


Hook' em while they're young. It's like the tobbaco company.
Drunk commies deleted
25-01-2006, 21:10
This is sick. SICK I say!

I really hate humanity.
Then you shouldn't care what happens to their offspring.
Heron-Marked Warriors
25-01-2006, 21:11
Hook' em while they're young. It's like the tobbaco company.

Hehehe. "hook"
The Nazz
25-01-2006, 21:21
So what's with the thumbs down at them removing these kids? :p

Sorry, sorry
Beat me to it.

To the original poster, just FYI: posting an article in its entirety is a violation of fair use, and posting it without commentary is considered spam around here--the mods have deated people for doing it repeatedly before. I'm not suggesting anything would happen here--just letting you know for the future so you can avoid trouble.
Heron-Marked Warriors
25-01-2006, 21:28
FYI: posting an article in its entirety is a violation of fair use

Is it? Even with a source link given? Didn't know that.

Not that I ever post anything like that, ever, but it's still useful to know.
Minoriteeburg
25-01-2006, 21:29
Beat me to it.

To the original poster, just FYI: posting an article in its entirety is a violation of fair use, and posting it without commentary is considered spam around here--the mods have deated people for doing it repeatedly before. I'm not suggesting anything would happen here--just letting you know for the future so you can avoid trouble.


oops done that a couple of times. won't do that from now on though.
The Nazz
25-01-2006, 21:31
Is it? Even with a source link given? Didn't know that.

Not that I ever post anything like that, ever, but it's still useful to know.
Yeah, you're allowed to excerpt to your heart's content--well, if the IP owner has a bug up his ass, you're probably better off excerpting no more than 40% or so--but because most of these places charge for full reproduction on other sites, you can't reproduce in entirety without permission.
Corruptropolis
25-01-2006, 21:34
Kids can do whatever they want, like any of us really cares about them... They are the plague upon this world, dominated by MAN, not children!
Heron-Marked Warriors
25-01-2006, 21:35
Yeah, you're allowed to excerpt to your heart's content--well, if the IP owner has a bug up his ass, you're probably better off excerpting no more than 40% or so--but because most of these places charge for full reproduction on other sites, you can't reproduce in entirety without permission.

Interesting :cool:
OceanDrive3
25-01-2006, 21:35
Is it? Even with a source link given? Didn't know that.

Not that I ever post anything like that, ever, but it's still useful to know.Devil's advocate: Actually... I consider your "Thumbs Down" to be a "comment" :D

Not-so-Evil: Besides.. i think that rule is there for abusive spammers.. Like someone doing it 10 times on a roll..
Maegi
25-01-2006, 21:36
Kids can do whatever they want, like any of us really cares about them... They are the plague upon this world, dominated by MAN, not children!

No, no you have it all wrong. People can not care about children and still care what they do. After all, they aren't really people yet, since they're completely incapable of thought, but they will be someday, and have to be protected from themselves.

Note - there should be a way to visually pour sarcasm all over a post.
The Nazz
25-01-2006, 21:39
Devil's advocate: Actually... I consider your "Thumbs Down" to be a "comment" :D

Not -so-Evil: To be fair.. i think that rule is there for abusive spammers.. Like someone doing it 10 times on a roll..
Yeah, I was going to make that second point--it's also known as the Red Arrow rule. :D
OceanDrive3
25-01-2006, 21:43
Yeah, I was going to make that second point--it's also known as the Red Arrow rule. :Doh yeah... a special Rule just to get rid of Da RedArrow... :cool:

Well.. If they ever make an special rule just to get rid of me... It would be just like having my Pic on the cover of Time.. I Would be trilled :D
Dempublicents1
25-01-2006, 21:57
One thing I found especially amusing in the advice of older prostitutes. To underage prostitutes who are doing it for drugs - "Is one shot of a drug worth the rest of your life being ruined?" This seems to point to the opinion that sex is worse than drugs. Power to priorities.

I think the "the rest of your life being ruined" has to do with the possibility of STDs or pregnancy.
Nation of Fortune
25-01-2006, 21:59
Note - there should be a way to visually pour sarcasm all over a post.
You could make it rainbow colored, that would get peoples attentions.

In other news, under age prostitution is wrong.
Maegi
25-01-2006, 22:00
I think the "the rest of your life being ruined" has to do with the possibility of STDs or pregnancy.

While that's possible I couldn't help being blown away by the implications. To paraphrase - Do drugs if you want, but for God's sake don't have sex to raise the money for it. Like I said...nice priorities there.
Lunatic Goofballs
25-01-2006, 22:00
I think the "the rest of your life being ruined" has to do with the possibility of STDs or pregnancy.

That's true. Drugs won't necessarily ruin your whole life. All you have to do is write a book about it that Oprah likes and boom! Your life is all better. :)
Maegi
25-01-2006, 22:02
That's true. Drugs won't necessarily ruin your whole life. All you have to do is write a book about it that Oprah likes and boom! Your life is all better. :)

What drugs can do, however, is make your life very short. Accidental ODs happen all the time. I guess it's just my skewed perspective though.
Darwinianstan
25-01-2006, 22:20
Hook' em while they're young. It's like the tobbaco company.
So true, I think "under age" hooking should be mandatory. They are going do it anyway, I might as well get my chance with them. I also think the age of consent should be 9. they know whats going on so its ok
Peisandros
25-01-2006, 22:22
Well, good she's off the streets but still.. Damn I'm proud to be from NZ :rolleyes:
Lunatic Goofballs
25-01-2006, 22:23
What drugs can do, however, is make your life very short. Accidental ODs happen all the time. I guess it's just my skewed perspective though.

Oh, they MIGHT ruin your life. In fact, if you take enough, it's almost a certainty. Not everybody can impress Oprah. :p

AIDS on the other hand, well no matter how good your life gets, you still have AIDS.
Letila
25-01-2006, 23:08
I didn't know there was a large demand for 12 year old hookers.
Minoriteeburg
25-01-2006, 23:09
So true, I think "under age" hooking should be mandatory. They are going do it anyway, I might as well get my chance with them. I also think the age of consent should be 9. they know whats going on so its ok


so you're going by the old "If theres grass on the field, then play ball!" rule.
Nation of Fortune
25-01-2006, 23:14
so you're going by the old "If theres grass on the field, then play ball!" rule.
Well in that case get a sign that says "keep off the grass"
Minoriteeburg
25-01-2006, 23:16
I didn't know there was a large demand for 12 year old hookers.


well i mean once they turn 15 they're all used up. it's like gettin sloppy seconds.
The Nazz
25-01-2006, 23:21
I didn't know there was a large demand for 12 year old hookers.
You kidding? For a while, Thailand's tourism industry was practically based on them.
Darwinianstan
25-01-2006, 23:25
so you're going by the old "If theres grass on the field, then play ball!" rule.
yep, its a great rule
Minoriteeburg
25-01-2006, 23:26
yep, its a great rule


it sure is. works in most 3rd world countries
Darwinianstan
25-01-2006, 23:28
it sure is. works in most 3rd world countries
I should really move to a 3rd world country....
Letila
25-01-2006, 23:47
You kidding? For a while, Thailand's tourism industry was practically based on them.

Yes, but I thought that was really only in third world countries.
Minoriteeburg
26-01-2006, 00:10
Yes, but I thought that was really only in third world countries.


The love for little girls is spreading all throughout the land.
Tsaraine
26-01-2006, 01:24
Darwinianstan has been deleted, and Minoriteeburg has been forumbanned for one week. I 'd like to think I didn't have to point out why, but here it is in case I do;

Paedophilia is illegal. Advocating paedophilia = your ass is toast.

Now, there is nothing wrong with discussing child prostitution per se, provided that it remains within a tone befitting such a discussion. This is not it.

~ Tsar the Mod.