Greater Dandenong and Kingston council bust dozens of illegal brothels
OVER four years, 34 illegal brothels masquerading as massage parlours in Melbourne’s south have been shut down. But investigators are not done yet, and they need your help.
South East
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IN THE past four years, 34 illegal brothels masquerading as massage parlours in Melbourne’s southeast have been shut down.
And police are urging people with information about others, to come forward.
Greater Dandenong Council have closed 16 — six were successfully prosecuted in court by the council, and 10 more shut up shop before the council investigators got as far as legal action.
And Kingston Council has put 18 out of business since 2014.
IN PAST FOUR YEARS KINGSTON COUNCIL HAS SHUT 18 ILLEGAL BROTHELS
TWO THAI MASSAGE CENTRES IN DANDENONG, NOBLE PARK CAUGHT OFFERING SEX FOR CASH IN UNDERCOVER STINGS
Greater Dandenong Council planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said the council worked closely with Victoria Police, federal agencies and community organisations in investigating illegal brothels in the area.
“People who suspect illegal brothel activity are encouraged to contact council and report the address of the property concerned,” Mr Bosman said.
Earlier this year, two illegal brothels operating as Linda’s Thai Massage shops in Dandenong and Noble Park were closed after a council investigation found that women at both businesses had offered sexual services to customers.
The investigation into the Hammond St and Lightwood Rd addresses involved an undercover council sting.
Inspector Jodie Buckley, from Victoria Police’s Sex Industry co-ordination Unit (SICU), said visits to suspected illegal brothels involved officers speaking to employees to ensure they “know their rights”.
SICU works in conjunction with Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police to search and inspect businesses that may be illegal brothels — a joint effort known as Operation Visitar.
A joint Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and Border Force crackdown saw a number of alleged illegal brothels raided in the Kingston area on October 11.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said they also sought to uncover illegal workers, targeted several remedial and therapeutic massage businesses.
Three illegal brothels in Mentone, Fire Banana Massage, Florence Massage and QJY Massage were shut down by court order last year following action by Kingston Council.
Illegal brothels can be proscribed and their owners charged with offences under the Sex Work Act 1994.
Police urge anyone who suspects they know of an illegal brothel in operation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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