Bid to highlight evils of lap-dancing industry

Companies fuelling Ireland’s sex industry are being targeted in a hard-hitting campaign.

A leading charity today highlighted the links between lap-dancing and the global sex trade – including prostitution, trafficking and abuse.

Ruhama claims Irish lap-dancing clubs which attract corporate business mostly use foreign women.

It found 95% of dancers and 90% of indoor prostitutes are non-nationals, coming mainly from eastern Europe.

Ruhama believes clients have little knowledge of how these women get here, how they are controlled, how they are paid and the risks they confront.

Others are moved from town to town and country to country with little control over their lives.

“Lap-dancing is not innocent fun as portrayed by its controlling owners,” said Geraldine Rowley of Ruhama.

“Naive women, desperate for money, are lured, coerced and tricked into dancing and groomed for prostitution.

“We’ve spoken to more than 100 women who have fallen for the promise of easy cash and a job in a new country. A number of those ended up in prostitution.

“Ireland has a growing sex industry and there is a huge expansion in trafficking.

“Lap-dancing is part of the sex industry, businesses need to see it as part of prostitution and the growing phenomenon of trafficking.”

The voluntary organisation today launched details of a Charter, which was sent to several hundred top companies in June, requesting them not to support lap-dancing clubs with corporate funds.

More than 50 businesses have already backed their calls, with some even funding Ruhama’s work.

There is believed to be more than seven lap-dancing clubs nationwide.

Stringfellows in Dublin closed its doors just a few weeks after Ruhama contacted companies with information on the Charter project.

“Since 2002 we have been campaigning against lap-dancing clubs, not just Stringfellows, and gave our support to residents who picketed the Parnell Street club,” continued Ms Rowley.

“We became aware of increasing efforts by lap-dancing clubs to attract corporate support and decided to tell the corporate sector what the lap-dancing industry really entails. It is well-established as part and parcel of the global sex industry.”

For 17 years the charity has worked with women involved in prostitution and sexual exploitation, providing a range of services. It helps them realise their dignity and supports those who choose to follow an alternative lifestyle.

Ms Rowley added: “We’re asking companies to sign up and support our Charter.

“We are asking them not to financially support ventures, namely lap-dancing clubs, where women are abused and ask them to use their corporate responsibility to prevent the commercial sexual exploitation of women.”