A public meeting was held recently, with 350 people attending, on the proposal from the Western Australia (WA) government to decriminalise brothel in the state, with an organiser describing the turn out as symptomatic of community concern over it.
Saying the turnout was 'sizeable, the Australian Christian Lobby chief-of-staff from WA, Michelle Pearse, is also leading a group, known as the Prostitution Law Amendment Working Committee, to collect signatures from people in the state to fight against the Prostitution Amendment Bill.
She asserted that legalising brothels would increase the industry, which was harmful to the women involved.
"There is a huge amount of concern about this issue in the community. People are realising the ugly reality of prostitution and are alarmed at the thought that this industry will increase dramatically if brothels are legalised," Mrs. Pearse said.
"Prostitution is a harmful profession for the women involved and it won't be improved by Government endorsement."
The Perth Catholic Archbishop, Barry Hickey, had recently stepped into the debate a month ago, writing in an open letter the damages prostitution will cause to both the women and men client engaged in this trade, reported AAP.
"There are many reasons for opposing the legalisation of prostitution, but my biggest concern is the damage done to the girls and women who are enticed into the trade," he said.
"On the other hand, there is considerable research evidence to show that males, and particularly young males, who use prostitutes have greater tendencies towards domination of women and violence towards them."
It was not just Christians who opposed the law being introduced.
Committee Facilitator Guido Vogels said there is a wide range of groups opposing the brothel law changes, including women's groups, social justice groups, family groups, men's groups, workers' movements, and business groups.
'A petition against the Prostitution Amendment Bill 2007 will be presented to Parliament soon by Barbara Scott MLC, the Shadow Minister for Children, Culture and The Arts'.
*Correction made to the sentence: The Prostitution Amendment Bill 2007 will be presented to Parliament soon by Barbara Scott MLC, the Shadow Minister for Children, Culture and The Arts.