Christchurch brothels more violent than Auckland, researchers say

Stuff co.nz 22 April 2015
Christchurch brothel and escort workers are more likely to experience violence than their Auckland counterparts, researchers say.

University of Canterbury economics and finance senior lecturer Dr Laura Meriluoto, with a team of researchers, analysed survey data on sex workers and found Christchurch brothel workers were more likely to be harmed than those in Auckland.

However, Christchurch street sex workers were less likely to face violence and theft than in Auckland.

Meriluoto said this could be because of the “compact nature of the street sector” in Christchurch.

Christchurch has been home to three horrific murders of sex workers: Mallory Manning in 2008; Suzie Sutherland in 2005; and a 24-year-old, who has permanent name suppression, also in 2005.

Meriluoto took data collected in 2006 by Otago University associate professor Gillian Abel and found elements of concern in the sex industry.

Abel surveyed sex workers across New Zealand, looking at physical and sexual violence, theft and threats by clients.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/67875371/christchurch-brothels-more-violent-than-auckland-researchers-say