Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey has not been swayed from his view that prostitution must be decriminalised to protect those involved in the industry even after strong objection from former Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley.The minister stressed that there are many women who make the choice to become involved in the sex trade and have the right to be protected.“I am not saying it is right, it is what it is, but I am just telling you to offer that as a response, it is not to fully understand the dynamics of the situation. And my responsibility as the minister responsible for people remains to protect all people. Is it going to be a popular position? Probably not, but it is mine,” he said.Atherley publicly declared that he will not support any move to decriminalise sex work in Barbados and that he was sticking to his belief that people should engage in decent work and that Barbados should be finding ways to avoid people falling into despair and turning to prostitution in the first place.
