Right of reply on 'challenge'

After the lynch posse saddled up and rode out the other night, the Head Madam from the Prostitutes Collective has her right of reply.

Most prostitutes choose to enter the sex industry of their own free will, and reports of surges in crime around brothels are an urban myth

A few other observations from her reply.

Speakers said the brothel would bring crime and drama, was sanctioning a slave-trade in women, and could increase incidences of paedophilia in the town.

Ms Healy disputed these claims, saying the majority of people who use and work in brothels are not nasty or perverted criminals.

"People are always afraid of what they don't know, and the sex industry keeps itself, for the large part, behind closed doors."

The idea that prostitution is a "slave trade" is ludicrous, she said.

"In New Zealand, the incidence of people being coerced or forced into sex work is very low. For people to say it's about sex slavery and so on, it's wildly, wildly inflammatory."

Though there is an argument women should not sell their bodies for sex, prostitutes argue they should be able to use them how they like, Ms Healy said.

"I realise that women have had to fight for all sorts of rights for the last few centuries. But sex workers say that they want rights too, the right to carry out their work."

No evidence has been found to suggest more crime around brothels, and to suggest a link between a brothel catering for gay men and paedophilia is incredible, she said.

"That's amazing, that they would be drawing those conclusions in this century.

But the establishment is up to the challenge.

"I think it's going to be challenging opening in a town where there are attitudes like that. But in many, many situations they are coexisting in neighbourhoods without friction."

From the Actual Madam of the soon-to-open premises.

Brothel owner Teresa McGregor said she was aware of the meeting, and the town's reaction was unsurprising.

"It's to be expected, I suppose."

I am sure the final resource consent meeting next week will be very lively.