Prostitutes should not be trapped in living hell
I compliment your reporters on a well balanced and constructive presentation to these almost unmentionable social issues. It was journalism at its best.
The people who suffer most are often women who have already suffered physical and sexual abuse in childhood. They are being further stigmatised, isolated and driven underground. The legislation must come sooner rather than later with the provision incorporated, for health, welfare, rehabilitation and protection of prostitutes.
The decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting adults was a welcome reform which, among other things, finally eliminated the threat to those engaged in homosexual activity of penal servitude for life and saves the Republic from possible expulsion from the Council of Europe for failing to comply with a ruling of the European Courts of Human Rights in the Morris case.
In an ideal world, it would be unnecessary to make prostitution illegal. In this far-from-ideal world, the aim of legislation should be to lead the way towards a more humane and better organised society in which there is due regard for the causes and consequences of prostitution.
Prostitutes should not be trapped in a living hell, or find it impossible to alter their lifestyle. The problem rests with our legislators, all of whom will have the opportunity to support Minister Shatter’s proposed legislation. Maybe they would prefer to allow the treatment meted out to St Mary Magdalen to continue, as it is happening to many prostitutes in this country. Time will tell. Jailing them, without the necessary provision for health, welfare, rehabilitation and protection, will not help them.
We must be proactive if we are to assist the plight of prostitutes and their families.
Cllr Noel Collins
Midleton
Co Cork
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