NCJ Number
208593
Date Published
December 2004
Length
113 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and recommendations of a review of the nature and regulation of the live adult entertainment industry in Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
The term "live adult entertainment" refers to a wide range of sexually explicit activities that have evolved from the more traditional and limited concept of a striptease show. The review, which was undertaken by the Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC), involved observations of 34 live adult entertainment sites across Queensland. Eighty-six interviews were conducted with people in the industry, including 33 owners/managers and 53 entertainers; and consultations were conducted with a range of other key stakeholders. The CMC called for submissions from interested organizations and members of the public and reviewed relevant live adult entertainment literature. Regulatory frameworks governing other jurisdictions were also reviewed. The study found that live adult entertainment in Queensland has diversified over the past decade to incorporate performances that go well beyond the traditional concept of a striptease show. These performances are legal under current criminal law. Adult entertainment in Queensland is not regulated except in venues that have a liquor license and an attached adult entertainment permit. Unregulated adult entertainment businesses are three times the number of regulated ones. Because of the need to protect minors from exposure to these venues, control the environment of communities, and prevent organized criminal activity in the industry, this report recommends bringing all unregulated adult entertainment businesses under a regulatory regime. The current scheme for regulated businesses is sufficiently effective to provide the foundation for an extended regulatory regime. The regulatory system should distinguish live adult entertainment from prostitution to allow for separate regulation; keep organized crime, illicit drugs, and corruption out of the industry; prevent the exploitation of minors by the industry; and reduce negative impacts of the industry on local communities. A 21-item bibliography