Sex buyers laws must be introduced soon

I write in support of the recent call by the Immigrant Council of Ireland (Irish Examiner, June 16) for the introduction of sex buyer laws in Ireland. The current legislative framework — Criminal law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993 — is hopelessly outdated.

As a migrant rights non-governmental organisation that works directly with women affected by prostitution and sex trafficking, our experience is that those in prostitution currently bear the brunt of Ireland’s outdated legislation. Most will incur criminal convictions for minor offences and, as international research indicates, this is often a barrier to them exiting prostitution or seeking help.

For the criminals who organise and control prostitution, the sex industry is a high gain, low risk enterprise where huge profits can be made on a daily basis.