Sexual Offences Bill to be published today

New laws will be published today which will criminalise the purchase of sexual services.

The Sexual Offences Bill is being put forward by the Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and covers a wide range of areas including child pornography and online grooming.

It is not expected to decriminalise prostitution.

Minister Fitzgerald has said there will also be tougher sentencing for some crimes.

“Between 10-14 years for some of these offences. We are also talking about criminalising the purchase of sexual services within the context of prostitution,” Minister Fitzgerald said.

“We are looking at the huge international problem of trafficking of young girls and women for the purposes of sexual exploitation across Europe and indeed across the world.”