NSW: University to look at impact of sex workers on community.
07 Mar 2009 1:10 AM
SYDNEY, March 7 AAP - A team of researchers from a Sydney university intends to speak to residents living near sex workers so it can pass its findings on to state and local government authorities.
According to the University of Sydney's professor of built environment, Spike Boydell, legislation related to the sex industry "is largely based on anecdotal information".
"There is a dearth of research into the relationship between the choices made in regulating the sex industry, as well as the real and perceived impacts on the community," Prof Boydell said in a statement on Friday.
He said the research will "inform urban planning and environmental control by highlighting what matters in terms of neighbour relations generally".
Prof Boydell and his team will gather information from residents living near brothels, street-based sex workers, erotic massage parlours and home-based sex workers in the greater Sydney region.
The team intends to publish its findings next year.
