The Turn Off the Red Light Campaign, a coalition of 56 organisations representing every section of Irish life, has today submitted its case for outlawing paid sex to a Dáil committee reviewing the laws on prostitution.
The detailed document outlines how changing the law will make it far more difficult for pimps, people traffickers and other criminals to continue their exploitation of women.
The submission points to well-established research showing that current laws have failed and allowed a sex industry to thrive across Ireland. One thousand women are offered for sex daily through the internet in Ireland. Evidence about children exploited through prostitution appears every year, while 90 per cent of women in prostitution want to exit, but feel unable to do so.
The Turn Off the Red Light submission recommends that the Government act by amending the 1993 Sexual Offences Act to criminalise the purchase of sex while at the same time decriminalising those who sell sexual acts. We believe that following the Swedish model and introducing legislation to criminalise demand will act as a deterrent for people who buy sex.
We also recommend that the change in legislation would be complimented by enhanced and sustained support services for people in prostitution who wish to exit.
A diminished demand for purchase of sex, leading to a diminished trade, would support also An Garda Síochána in prioritising their limited resources to effectively target persistent criminality.
The campaign is now forwarding its detailed document to the committee. We have also expressed our willingness to fully participate in any further stages of the consultation process, including public hearings, and given our consent for publication of our document in full at a time of the committee’s choosing.
Immigrant Council of Ireland
