Doctor: All of society uses prostitutes

All sorts of people are clients of prostitutes — from “members of the Oireachtas to down-and-outs” — a leading specialist on sexually transmitted diseases has said.

Dr Derek Freedman said people use sex workers for different reasons, including curiosity, comfort, or because they are sociophobic, lonely, or addicted.

He told TDs to think “extremely carefully” about introducing the Swedish model, which criminalises clients of prostitutes, saying simplistic solutions do not work.