Sex workers ‘still not protected’ in spite of criminalising legislation

Ireland’s new laws criminalising the purchase of sex will work in cutting trafficking and sexual exploitation according to a new report — but those behind the research said it could also be improved by the imposition of “on-the-spot” fines.

A comparative report entitled Disrupt Demand, published by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, looked at the laws in six EU states including Ireland. It found that criminalising the purchase of sex, while decriminalising those working in prostitution, was the best way to tackle trafficking.