Welcome for Amnesty’s stance on sex trade

I very much welcome the decision of Amnesty International to support the decriminalisation of prostitution.

People making themselves available for sexual gratification in return for money has been a feature of human experience since time began.

Whatever the apparent moral issues concerned the most important human factor is the welfare of those women and men involved in this practice.

International experience shows convincingly that criminalising such matters drives the issue underground and creates serious problems for the health and physical welfare of those involved. For these reasons I give an unequivocal welcome to Amnesty International’s decision.

I would also like to point to the very detailed research produced by Professor Peter Shirlow and his team from Queens University Belfast which shows clearly that the criminalisation of the purchase of sex is not in the public interest.

Senator David Norris

Seanad Éireann

Dublin