By CASEY NEILL
Sex workers could be banned from central Dandenong under new legislation.
From 1 August, the area bordered by Princes Highway and Pickett, Walker, Clow and Hemmings streets will be a declared area under the Sex Work Act.
This will allow police to ban any sex worker from the area and impose fines.
Greater Dandenong Local Area Commander Inspector Sean Murray said police identified street sex work as a concern in parts of the CBD in 2014.
“Since then, we’ve conducted enforcement activities in the area with great results,” he said.
“At the same time, we’ve worked with local government and health and support agencies to provide for the ongoing wellbeing of the workers.
“The number of incidents has decreased dramatically, but the addition of this declared area means we are equipped with legislation to respond more effectively to any signs of new activity.”
Star News Group covered the issue extensively in 2013, starting with a report in February that a 70-year-old woman was propositioned outside her Scott Street home.
Her daughter said the problem was instilling “fear and discomfort” among residents and visitors.
In July, Star reported that gutter crawlers propositioned a 19-year-old girl twice in seven minutes as she waited for a bus in Scott Street.
Police made one arrest and interviewed three suspects in a prostitution blitz in Dandenong’s CBD later that month, and more stings and court appearances followed throughout the year.
Sergeant Pat Green at the time said police would take a zero tolerance approach until the behaviour was gone.
“The police are working with other government agencies to look at the problem from a different angle, not only from enforcement,” he said.
“It’s just about putting our heads together and working out what capability each organisation has and how they can complement the others.”
