Views on brothel divided in Christchurch New Zealand
Ashburton prostitutes are divided on whether a Christchurch escort agency will be able to successfully establish a brothel in the town. A Christchurch escort agency advertised in yesterday’s Guardian for a house or townhouse to rent, and in a separate ad for “ladies aged 18 to 40”. Two Ashburton women in their mid 30s who started working six months ago both said they don’t believe there is enough demand for such a service.
The two women also believe Ashburton is too small, as residents would get to know where the house was and start to identify people using the service.
“If it’s a known place, who wants to be seen in Ashburton, in case someone spots them and tells the wife. You can’t go to the shops in Ashburton without seeing at least one person you know,” one of them said.
The two women lived separately and used one of their homes to provide services, but they did not see this as a brothel as it was first and foremost a home.
She said call girls coming into Ashburton to spend time in a brothel and waiting for calls could find themselves waiting a long time.
“Some Friday nights nothing, other nights your phone rings off the hook,” she said.
But another prostitute who lives and operates in Ashburton said she believed there was demand, and she did not mind the competition.
“I think there’s definitely a need for it. It doesn’t worry me, it’s open slather in this town and good luck to other girls who want to do it.”
She believed the need had been exacerbated by Christchurch CBD massage parlours having been wiped out in the earthquake.
She did not think Ashburton was too small, and maybe some people just needed to mind their own business and not be judgemental.
“It might bring the standard up to the 21st century. It’s legal in New Zealand, we are living in a boondock society (in Ashburton),” she said.
Ashburton church leaders do not support the business.
New Life pastor Rob Davison said ministers would be discussing the issue at their regular monthly meeting today.
“We just don’t think it’s something that’s needed in our community,” he said.
Mayor Angus McKay said he believed provisions in the Ashburton District Council’s district plan would protect residents.
“After all it’s a legal activity, from Parliament, and I believe the district plan provisions can allow the activity to carry on in Ashburton without disturbing too many people.”
