Forensics examining a Kowhai Terrace property, where Ms Duckmanton's mother lives (Florence Bannan)
Psychologist Nigel Latta has hit out at media for referring to a sex worker's occupation in stories about her death.
Renee Duckmanton, 22, was found dead near a roadside in Rakaia, south of Christchurch, on Sunday. She was last sighted on Manchester St, a street in Christchurch known for having sex workers.
Ms Duckmanton's occupation as a sex worker was information divulged freely by police and given great weight to. It has now been confirmed by police her profession is linked to her death.
But Mr Latta told RadioLIVE he believed the term 'sex worker' was used cynically to generate interest in media stories covering the death of Renee Duckmanton.
"It's not about that she was a sex worker, it's the cynical use of the term to generate interest in the story," Mr Latta told Mark Sainsbury.
"The way the headlines were written I think was disrespectful to her and her family."
Mr Latta said he doesn't have an issue with her being a sex worker, as "it's a job". However, he said it's a bigger issue about how the media treats victims of crime.
He believed his Facebook post calling out the media's use of the term "sex worker" may have influenced media to change how they reported her death.
While many agreed with Mr Latta's post, some felt it was fair to refer to her occupation.
One Facebook user wrote: "I don't understand why calling her a sex worker is wrong, it's what she did. What is wrong, is that people perceive her as less of something because she did sex work".
Another Facebook user asked those concerned what they're more upset about: Ms Duckmanton being murdered or being reported as a sex worker?
Writer Hassadah Grace, who works in the sex industry, said in The New Zealand Herald last night, "if someone is out there murdering women in my profession, I'd like to know about it".
Police said they wanted to hear from any of her clients, the clients of any other woman in the area, and anyone who was working in the Manchester and Peterborough Street area that night.
Anyone with information can call Christchurch Central Police Station on 03 363 7400 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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