MUST READ: Paterson Street’s teen prostitute shame
“Society has glamorised this line of work in certain ways, but prostitutes can be murdered, raped or contract sexually transmitted diseases.”
NEWCASTLE – Prostitution in Paterson Street has apparently taken a sickening turn, after Mary Dobbie, Director of Newcastle Crisis Centre, recently witnessed underage girls prostituting themselves.
Read: Paterson prostitutes allegedly assault two
“I had to go out for work the other night and saw at least six girls who were definitely not 18 years old in Paterson Street.”
She speculated the girls are taking advantage of the school holidays to work as sex workers.
“A lot of parents might not even know their daughters are out there at night.”
Mrs Dobbie said the dangers of prostitution could not be ignored.
“Society has glamorised this line of work in certain ways, but prostitutes can be murdered, raped or contract sexually transmitted diseases.”
Young girls can also become victims of human trafficking.
“Prostitution is illegal, but the authorities first need to catch the culprits in the act. However, I am urging the community to contact the police if they see any girl who seems younger than 18, trying to prostitute herself,” said Mrs Dobbie.
Lizzy Arumugam, SAPS corporate communications, said prostitutes could be charged with soliciting if caught.
Mrs Arumugam said police regularly conducted patrols in Paterson Street in hope of deterring the women.
“Police officers search them for anything illegal and usually request them to refrain from doing anything illegal,” she concluded.
