The Oldest Profession

Philippa Tolley and Rebekah Parsons-King head inside boutique brothels to speak to the owners and chat with a client to find out more about the business of sex.

If you are running a sex business, how does it all work? What are the practicalities of selecting a sex worker, managing clients and keeping it all discreet?

Is there an ideal sex worker? Can clients be difficult?

And in 2016, why do men still use brothels?

Join Philippa Tolley...

Philippa Tolley heads out to the red light areas of NZ's main centres to hear the stories of those working from the street.

The image of a woman soliciting from the streets is frequently used as the face of prostitution.

In reality it's the smallest part of the industry. But why would someone choose a cold pavement over a warm brothel?

Philippa Tolley and Rebekah Parsons-King head to the streets and find out why.

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Philippa Tolley and visual journalist Rebekah Parsons-King investigate the current state of the sex industry more than a decade after it was decriminalised under laws nicknamed "the NZ Model."

Watch a video segment from the episode here

New Zealand's sex industry prior to reforms in 2003 has been described as a dangerous environment that lent itself to violence, exploitation and coercion.

But now, prostitutes can go to the police...