HAVING lived side by side with vice establishments for years, residents in the West Kowloon area deserve a better deal. Therefore I propose setting up a ''red-light'' centre on the reclaimed land of the West Kowloon project.
The proposal is as yet one of the most imaginative approaches to this historical problem. I grew up in Yau Ma Tei, and the problem of prostitution has always been at our doorstep. In the early days, however, it was uncommon for people to have direct contact with the Government, so no residents dared complain even though they hated having brothels in their residential buildings.
But as society progresses, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the problem. I think it can be handled through discussion within the community and better co-ordination with the Government. As a district board member, I feel we have a responsibility to dosomething for those who have long suffered.
We have much to gain from the setting up of a red-light zone, especially those women who live in the same buildings as the brothels. For many years their dignity has been ignored by the Government's tolerant attitude towards these establishments, and they are often subject to environmental and psychological hazards, not to mention the prejudice they may have to face from their peers.
Worse still, these families are most likely from the lower socio-economic stratum and cannot afford to move out. They feel helpless because they either lack the courage or the money to start afresh in another district. Imagine parents who have no choice but to have their children grow up in an environment surrounded by brothels, and have their daughters harassed.
Therefore I see the West Kowloon reclamation firstly as a good testing ground to provide centralised control for all the brothels disguised in many forms throughout the district. This is one of the ways in which residents can re-build their bruised dignity and self-esteem.
