Raunchy posters for brothel placed near Coburg primary schools

By Ed Gardiner – Moreland Leader, September 8, 2016

Brothel ads posted near Coburg primary schools have come under fire, with people demanding they be removed.

Hundreds of posters, featuring a naked woman advertising a Thomastown brothel, have been plastered across Coburg, Brunswick and other northern suburbs, many within eyesight of primary schools.

The posters, promoting the My Alibi brothel, appear to breach a state law preventing full body images in sex work advertising.

 

BROTHEL FUTURE LOOKING GRIM?

Commuter Jacqueline Gwynne said she first noticed the posters on Sydney Rd, Coburg and became concerned at their proximity to schools.

“It’s intimidating as an adult to be exposed to that. For kids to be exposed to this is just disgusting,” Ms Gwynne said.

“It’s telling girls this is what you’re supposed to be, you’re a sex object, and telling boys that women are there to be used.”

Legislative Council Sex Party MP Fiona Patten confirmed the posters were illegal but described existing laws as “stupid”.

“If this was an ad for a car, or a record label, this would be quite acceptable,” Ms Patten said.

“But because it’s a cheeky ad, advertising the adult industry, it’s a problem. You can use sex to sell anything — except for sex.”

 

STREET SEX WORKERS BANNED FROM SUBURB

The Sex Work Regulation Act 2016 prohibits “pictorial representation of a person unless it is restricted to the head and shoulders”, with a new exception for online ads.

The posters also appear to violate part of the law requiring the letters “SWA” (Sex Work Act) to be clearly displayed.

Ms Gwynne said she would lodge a complaint with the Advertising Standards Bureau and ask Moreland Council to tear down the posters.

Ms Patten said the controversy highlighted an urgent need for legislative change.

“We are certainly seeking a review of some of the completely draconian laws that the adult industry has to operate under,” she said.

A spokesman for the distribution company Rock Posters declined to comment.

My Alibi management did not return several calls from Moreland Leader.