January 30, 2008
Condemnation of proposed Red Light District

EMBARGO: Media Release
Date: 15th July 2008
Enquiries: Martin Coltman
Mobile: +27 79 717 3619

Doctors For Life International condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the eThekwini Municipality’s suggestion to legalize prostitution in certain areas of Durban, apparently for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This proposal shows a lack of understanding of the detailed problems involved, as well as a disregard for the victims of this primarily socio-economic driven, dehumanizing and inherently harmful practice.

Cape Town Mayoral Committee member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, criticized the idea saying that countries like the Netherlands regret having set up red light districts. Job Cohen, the mayor of Amsterdam, has commented extensively on the problems that the city experienced. Organized crime and human trafficking increased dramatically in the red light district. The Amsterdam City Council had to rethink the idea and deal drastically with the situation. Sweden also decriminalized prostitution but admitted their mistake and have since reversed the decision. There are other examples.

Experience has shown that if given a proper opportunity, that at least 80% of prostitutes would quit the lifestyle. The eThekweni Municipality should help to initiate, sponsor and coordinate a comprehensive exit program that supports the individual, provides proper skills training and facilitates the placement of the person into proper employment for gain. Trauma counseling and drug rehabilitation programs should be available when necessary.

Instead, the eThekwini Municipality seems to want to shirk its civic responsibility and skirt around the problem by promoting the legal prostitution of its residents in, “red light areas”. Legalizing prostitution is just legitimizing the abuse of society’s most vulnerable members and provides a cover for organized crime, child prostitution and human trafficking. And just by the way - Durban is known to be one of the major entry and exit points for victims of human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Doctors For Life International has written to the eThekwini Municipality appealing to them not to proceed with this proposal, and that if they do, that they are opening themselves up to the possibility of legal action being taken against them.

Doctors for Life International, represents more than 1500 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of whom practice in South Africa. DFL is involved in helping people exit prostitution through a fulltime centre in Point area, Durban. DFL has commented extensively on these issues and has also made submissions to the Constitutional Court and the Law Reform Commission. For more information visit www.dfl.org.za