The ACT should consider following the lead of Sweden by recriminalising
prostitution and jailing men who pay for sex, according to the Catholic
Church.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn also wants
health checks introduced for men seeking to use the services of
prostitutes.
The archdiocese is planning to lodge a submission with an
Assembly inquiry into the Prostitution Act.
Archdiocesan spokeswoman for young adults Daniela Kesina said prostitution was incompatible with gender equality.
''If
we, as a society, reject the idea that women and girls can be bought
and sold, and if we believe in gender equality, surely it is not enough
just to regulate the sex industry, or strengthen regulations; we must
stamp out all exploitation,'' Ms Kesina said.
''Canberra
cannot call itself an equal and dignified society while we allow men to
buy casual sex services from women. It is exploitative and
unacceptable.''
Under a 1999 Swedish law, people who
purchase sex services can be fined or jailed for up to six months.
However, it is not against the law to work as a prostitute.
''Importantly,
the Swedish ban has deterred traffickers and helped to reduce
trafficking, which is a big issue in Canberra,'' Ms Kesina said.