Vulnerable sex workers have not been given the supports and resources they were promised – supports which could help them leave prostitution and dismantle the illegal sex trade, a new report has found.

Sex workers say recent spates of attacks and robberies on them show that the law is failing to protect them.

Gardaí are warning sex workers to avoid online appointments following seven instances in which sex workers were robbed and assaulted when they turned up to meet clients who booked an appointment online.

A police and enforcement strategy aimed at prosecuting pimps, brothel owners and those who buy sex and brothel owners is needed to disrupt the commercial sex industry and reduce pimping, trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Oireachtas has been told.

A candlelit vigil to mark International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Sex Workers will kick off in Dublin later.

I’ve spent more than a decade researching controversial, sensitive topics. But in many ways, my research on the sex industry has been the most difficult. This is in large part due to the contentious nature of debates on how to organise it, writes Erin Sanders-McDonagh.

An organisation that supports sex workers held a meeting last night calling for greater levels of caution after a man suspected of violent attacks was arrested over the weekend.

A group representing sex workers has criticised the Government for what it says is "criminalising" workers.

The number of sex workers in Ireland has increased by 80% since the Northern Ireland ban was introduced last year, a former prostitute has said.

Senator David Norris has said that prostitution being illegal is putting sex workers in danger.

Amnesty International has voted to support the decriminalization of prostitution.