Potential consequences

The all-out war against houses of easy virtue reached a new pinnacle with the raids at El Capitan and Le Petit Chateau yesterday. Another 29 prostitutes without valid residence papers have been picked up by law enforcement for deportation back to the Dominican Republic and Colombia.

After the action against the Hypnotic brothel in late October, a total of 56 prostitutes have now been taken out of circulation. The sex industry is going through tough times; that’s for sure.

Love it or hate it, prostitution is part of any community and also of ours. It is a business of demand and supply and it looks now like brothel owners will have trouble to meet demand.

That crimes have to be investigated and punished is clear, but in this particular case the question is what the consequences of this tough approach are going to be.

Our concern is not about the industry, but about the potential social backlash against all women and girls on our island who are not part of this seedy business.