Sex work would devalue people's homes

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Sir – We call on the NT Government Ministers and Opposition to reconsider proposed amendments to the NT Planning Scheme allowing sex work to be undertaken in residential zones in areas of home occupation, plus apartment blocks.
 
Whilst we support regulation it beggars belief that the NT Planning Scheme would consider allowing these businesses to operate in residential apartment blocks.
 
Imagine being in a lift with your children or grandchildren, whilst sex workers’ clients are also in the lifts and are visiting these businesses.
 
These clients would be able to visit these businesses at all hours which may create issues of noise pollution, havoc, social unrest and decreased safety, especially for older and more vulnerable members of society. These amendments would affect both tenants and home owners.
 
The Residential Tenancy Act states that residents have the right to “the quiet enjoyment” of a home.
How can owners or tenants have this “quiet enjoyment” when a sex worker’s business is being conducted at all hours of the day and night?
 
Owners have worked very hard for their little piece of paradise, a place to call home.
 
These amendments would completely devalue their major asset.
 
Sex work should be undertaken in purely commercial industrial areas only.
 
Sue Shearer
Council on the Ageing
 
 
 

7 COMMENTS

  1. Selling sex for money or otherwise profit has been held at the lower end of the morality scale since the dawn of human civilisation.
    It makes a mockery of family values and lasting human relationships.
    Amendments to introduce it to family living areas are an abrogation of the duty of care standards required by local government authorities.
    Alice will be a sadder place if sex work is introduced as normal business behaviour in the town’s residential area. As in any other Aussie town or suburb.

  2. In Queensland it is illegal to have brothels in residential areas.
    Brothels are restricted to industrial areas only.
    There is then a register of licensed brothels that pay a fee to be able to trade.
    Any brothel not on the register that is found or dobbed in to be not registered gets investigated and shut down.
    The whole of the NT, not just Alice Springs, should also only have sex work in the industrial areas.

  3. Our clients are the very tenants and occupiers of apartment buildings you speak of and catch lifts every day with others in their buildings.
    They don’t just drop out of the sky when they visit us in our homes – they live there too.
    As private workers we go to great lengths to provide anonymity for our clients and ourselves and the amenity impact, if any, is no different to anyone else in the building having a guest over, or a one night stand.
    Finally, sex happens in buildings all over our cities every night of the week without disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood. Home based sex work is no different.

  4. Personally I see no issue with it. I don’t care what people get up to in their own homes as long as it’s legal.
    I have no issues with someone willing to pay for sex, especially when compared to those that will not pay for sex but will take it by force.

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