Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prostitution Control Act 1994 - SECT 11A

Child over 18 months not to be in brothel

11A. Child over 18 months not to be in brothel





(1) A person who carries on a business of a kind referred to in the definition
of brothel in section 3 or who assists in the management of that business must
not allow a child over the age of 18 months to enter or remain in a brothel at
which that business is carried on for any purpose whatsoever.

Penalty: Level 8 imprisonment (1 year maximum) or a level 8 fine (120 penalty
units maximum).

(2) In a proceeding for an offence against subsection (1)-

   (a)  it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that the accused knew
        that the person concerned was a child over the age of 18 months; but

   (b)  it is a defence to the charge for the accused to prove that, having
        taken all reasonable steps to find out the age of the person
        concerned, the accused believed on reasonable grounds, at the time the
        offence is alleged to have been committed, that the person concerned
        was aged 18 years or more or under 18 months.