P.A.P.

When reading my copy of The Pacific Asian Post, This article caught my eye.

The PAP is an independent newspaper, free for the taking. An avid reader, free reading is music to my eyes.
In this instance I didn't even have to pick up my own copy it was sitting in the lobby, a recycled gift. I scooped it up on my way out this morning, which suited me fine since I find the warning stickers on the PAP's dispenser claiming "This box is under surveillance," kind of spooky.

Here's the article as at BBC

I was elated to read this article. It not only heralded a stunning victory for women's sexual rights, it also alerted me to some very powerful changes made in the UK regarding the sex trade, and legislation. For instance, in 2003, New Zealand actually decriminalized prostitution. For more information on International prostitution policy read here...
or for further info here...

I would like to thank all prostitutes and all prostitute activists for helping shape this new safer sex law in New Zealand addressing Gender Imbalance, a leading cause in the spread of HIV/AIDs in young heterosexual women. I hope this kind of legislation reaches far and wide, and quickly.

Heterosexual sex (unprotected vaginal intercourse) is the way in which the majority of women living with HIV/AIDS in Canada were infected , followed by women who injected drugs and lastly, through blood and blood products - before the blood supply was routinely screened for HIV . (Health Canada)

Why do they do it? Pretend to be all about safe sex, only to rip the rug out from under a woman while she is at her most vulnerable? According to Daniel Morgan, the man charged with "putting a prostitutes life at risk" , under New Zealand's new Safer Sex Laws, confessed he did it because he knew she wouldn't have sex with him without a condom.

I tried to find some legislation such as this here in Canada. but so far have only been able to google up some articles and documents pertaining to the conscious and willing spread of STD's including HIV through the omission of both pertinent health status disclosures and condoms. The most well known case being that of Ssenyonga, who had unprotected sex with several women, neglecting to disclose his HIV positive status and in turn infecting 3 of his lovers. The case lasted longer than Ssenyonga's life and the court refused to rule posthumously. The court did however award $15,000 to each of his victims reasoning that they had suffered aggravated assault and so deserved compensation, but not the full compensation of $25,000 because of the lack of care the women showed their own health.

This was overturned on appeal, and the women were eventually awarded the full compensation amount of $25 G's.

While I haven’t yet read word one about Mr. Morgan's HIV/AIDs status, it is reported the prostitute he assaulted will need to wait 6 weeks to discover if this encounter will change her life.