Call to ban alcohol from Oz strip clubs infuriates operators

MELBOURNE - A call to ban alcohol from Victorian strip clubs has infuriated venue operators.

The ban was brought about by one of the main anti-prostitution lobby groups, which is demanding industry regulations be strengthened further under the new coalition government with a tough-on-crime mandate.

In releasing a scathing report, the Coalition Against Trafficking Women Australia said strip clubs harmed women, increased crime rates and acted as a gateway into prostitution, the Age reported.

The report said these venues could not be seen merely as entertainment, as they had far more in common with brothels and therefore needed similar restrictions and bans on liquor licences.

But Nightclub Owners Forum spokesman David Butten strongly rejected any suggestions the clubs were linked to rising crime rates, the exploitation of women or prostitution. (ANI)