Whilst we have long been discussing and commenting that our values have been lost, one cannot avoid mentioning prostitution, for the simple reason that this is one of the oldest “professions”.

Nowadays, we are being brainwashed and may I also add that one is considered out of this world if one does not measure posessions or pleasures that he/she may have had throughout life.

Human prestige itself no longer exists. People will make fun of you if you express or state that the human body is a temple of God. I must admit that the mentality has changed completely. Where before everything was discussed and done behind closed doors, nowadays they tell you straight to your face.

I had an interesting discussion with a man whom I consider well read and he told me that these things help save marital problems, since what is not given by his wife, he goes, pays for it and that’s the end of the story. Then it’s business as usual. The change in mentality, I feel, is important and the basis of all that we are discussing.

We have to, together, provide knowledge regarding this subject and discuss more openly so that nobody will ever open any doors  for prostitution in our country, because this will have a negative impact on us and our children, and society in general.

Unfortunately the Labour government – that boasts that is a femminist government, announced that it will open our country’s doors for prostitution. Sometimes in order to seem innovative and without any research, the government takes the wrong routes that only bring indignation and condemnation to those who work hands on, on this subject. The government is constantly hitting on the wounds of those women undergoing continuous challenges.

The Model used in New Zealand

This model protects workers and refers to prostitutes as sex workers. When you refer to it as work, according to the United Nations, this means that the worker can never be a victim or lack freedom or abuse or any insecurities, however some of the stories end up with murders and with no dignity whatsoever.

The New Zealand model was introduced in 2003 with the scope of protecting sex workers and providing security. This, with the scope that sex workers - apart from being self-employed - enjoy the normal benefits like workers.

It resulted that massage parlours started to be called, again,  as brothels and everything could be done openly including loitering.

Prostitutes or sex workers have to abide by the conditions like all other workers, pimps become negotiators and have control over everything. In our country everybody knows, including those who do not frequent these places, the prices of these services and what type of people frequent them.

Large businesses are taking place in these places where the competition stands out with an all inclusive offer, where the payee chooses a woman he wants and she has to settle for whatever comes to his mind, even beatings.

In these scenarios she would even be put at risk healthwise if he would want unprotected sex. Where is the safety for the workers?

Therefore, without a doubt, this model made women more vulnerable in front of men. In these brothels a number of security measures for prostitution purposes are in place, like cameras and buzzers, but what is happening is that when the police arrive on site, the place is given a bad name and all business would be lost.

This means that women would have to pay a high price for pressing the button, with the consequence of them earning less money and work less because of competition. Even though a union exists, normally these women are more vulnerable. Research shows that this model was unsuccessful, because it protects only the 2% that feel comfortable in this type of work.

We have always worked and learnt that sexual education contributes towards the healthy development of children and society in general. I feel that this is the norm, however in New Zealand we find cases where a ten-year-old child is introduced to this industry in order not to be left on the streets and their prices are reduced.

The Nordic model

At present, the Parliamentary Committee for Social Affairs is discussing the reforms with regards to prostitution and human trafficking. Listening to some speak, its as if nothing is wrong and anything goes. Neo-liberalism at its best, as long as everything is sold. Once again the Labour Government, instead of standing up for the working man as he’s supposed to do, is favouring the bigger fish. In Nordic countries equality exists because the people’s mentality has changed and there is mutual respect between women and men. We have to study in further detail why  men need sex and the effects on the prostitute’s body. Prostitutes are not criminals but those that are using them are. We also have to make sure that our social and educational system did not fail us infront of all this. We need a good and strong education system and not an education system that’s only interest is the syllabus.  

Concluding note

We have to work on changing the mentality that women are objects. This has to change. This has to change like when we used to smoke on aeroplanes or in a restaurant. Nowadays we would not dream of doing so.  

Some to earn some money, do not care about anyone’s security. Are we going to remain silent before aggression, before this oppression, before murders, drugs and prostitution and other similar activities? All this destroyed us in a brutal way. The destruction of innocent people especially children and women.  We never degraded human beings as much as we do nowadays, with the introduction of laws with financial gain in mind.

We boast so much that our gross domestic product is increasing with a number of initiatives and enterprises that are earning loads of money, but are fed because they rely on others, amongst which is if we open our doors wide open for Prostitution.  

We have big challenges ahead of us, and we have to stand together so that we will not lose our battle before this oldest oppression.

Ivan Bartolo is a PN MP