Single mum turn to brothel and stripping.

[the_bob_delusion]

"Some single mothers hit by recent welfare cuts to parenting payments have turned to prostitution and strip clubs in order to keep a roof over their family's head."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/single-mums-turn-to-brothels-and-stripping-20130120-...

Would you consider it if things got tough?

Would you have respect for these mums for turning to these jobs?

[azureline**]

post 36

[polksaladallie]

post 36

Sorry, I read it wrongly.  I agree with you, I don't think that would be right.

[katydidthat]

Azure ... as I said I was 17.  I'm a lot older now :^O  I was also living in the UK at the time. And, back then, it wasn't usual for a judge-only trial.  

The police/prosecutors proceed with cases involving stealing items worth above a particular dollar amount.  At the time, in the UK, I think it was a pound.  

[azureline**]

Thanks 🙂 I think it is unlikely a parent stealing food here would go to Gaol? Shoplifters get off numerous times, in my experience.

[katydidthat]

Yeah, times have changed ... up to a point.  However, I think we, in Australia, are now more likely to see people who commit petty crimes like shoplifting, or being drunk in public, serving jail time compared to white collar criminals.  

However, most shoplifters don't get prosecuted.  The police and the DPP aren't interested.  Every now and then, there's a fad for "naming and shaming" ... do you remember years ago when a kid in the ACT had been shoplifting, and was sentenced to wearing a t-shirt with the words "I am a thief" (or something like that), and having to walk around the shopping centre she had stolen from?  

[azureline**]

I thought the parent did that?  I can't imagine it being legal to sentence the child to that unless over 18?

[katydidthat]

Again, it's a long time ago ... as I recollect, it was a child, they went to a conference with the DPP rather than a court and the parent agreed with the punishment. 

[azureline**]

really?? I don't think I would? Restitution, community service, retraining.....

[katydidthat]

More info on the Canberra case:

One of the good things about restorative justice institutions is that they can enrich the process of bubbling up the kinds of constraints that the majority should impose on itself through both law and policy. For example, a non-RISE1  conference was held in Canberra at which the victim proposed that a young shoplifter wear a T-shi...

A UK case:  

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-453210/Judge-orders-shoplifters-wear-Im-thief-signs.html

[katydidthat]

I don't think I would either.  Sure, return the items, work for free, make it up, but don't make it public.  

Some/many/most kids are foolish ... but I don't think they should have to suffer for that for the rest of their lives.