Any move to allow young women to exploited by men in a legal sex trade will be fiercely resisted by Family First.
The renewed pledge from Upper House candidate Deepa Mathew comes following Deputy Premier Kyam Maher’s prediction that bills to legalise the sex trade will be introduced in the next South Australian Parliament.
“Family First’s position is clear: the sex trade is not benign employment but an industry that commodifies and harms the vulnerable. Efforts to elevate it to legitimate work do not protect women — they encourage an industry built on objectification and male gratification at the expense of female dignity and safety,” Ms Mathew said.
“If Family First is elected, we will fight any moves to further exploit girls and women through a legal sex trade. We stand for a lawful framework that focuses on reducing demand by criminalising the male buyers of women and supporting those wishing to exit exploitation — not expanding an industry that always harms the vulnerable.
“Families and parents deserve certainty that their daughters will not be recruited into a state-sanctioned sex trade under the guise of ‘career choice’ at school careers nights or in the community.
“At a time when South Australians are struggling with skyrocketing housing, energy and grocery costs, the Parliament should be concentrating on the cost-of-living crisis, not on social engineering that normalises the sexual exploitation of young women by men.”
Family First stands for the inherent worth of women, the security of families, and the protection of children. That means opposing policies that harm girls for the pleasure of men and choosing instead to promote laws that strengthen, not weaken, our society.
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