A Christchurch City Council (CCC) committee has ruled that a bylaw will not be developed to keep sex workers away from the residential part of Manchester Street, despite residents calling the situation an 'ongoing hell'.
Despite desperate pleas from locals, Christchurch City Council today refused to back a bylaw to stop prostitutes soliciting near homes. (Source: Other)
Residents this morning begged the committee to step in after six years of prostitutes working outside on Manchester St.
Former resident Giles Goulden lived in the area for 20 years but says he was forced out by the "atrocities" he witnessed.
A council report had concluded that a bylaw isn't feasible and police have also said it would be too difficult to enforce. (Source: Other)
Mr Goulden told the committee: "We'd like you to approve a bylaw or you'll be committing us to an ongoing hell".
He was asked to described the atrocities by the regulatory committee and replied: "We got a puppy, eight-weeks-old, he was chewing something and we discovered it was a used condom.
"We find used needles, faeces and people fornicating in our back yards."
The Committee also heard a deputation from the Prostitutes Collective, who expressed sympathy for the experiences of residents, but opposed a bylaw because it would imply a criminal aspect to the work.
While declining to recommend a bylaw at this time, the committee hasn’t ruled out the possibility of establishing a bylaw in the future.
The committee will recommend to CCC that a community working group is established including council staff, Prostitutes Collective representatives and police, which would "encourage" sex workers to move on from the area.
Part of the decision is based on the fact police are not able to enforce such a bylaw.
Councillor David East said there is no point having a bylaw if it was unenforceable, however "we have a community that's been under siege for six years now, so it's our responsibility to put something in place that restores the quality of life that they deserve".
The council will consider funding to support the working group.
The effectiveness of this decision would be reviewed quarterly.
Councillor Anne Galloway said "it's been said by not adopting a bylaw we are abdicating responsibility, but I think it’s the opposite - by adopting this we are collectively taking responsibility".
The recommendation has to go before the council for approval.
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