All-island approach to prostitution is required

The targeting of communities in the South by those wishing to avoid Northern Ireland’s sex buyer laws (‘Online prostitution soaring here’, Irish Examiner, November 5) shows the urgent need for an all-island approach to tackling the exploitation, violence and organised crime which goes with this trade.

Political leadership is needed now to stop our communities being used as safe havens by those criminal gangs pocketing millions through violence, exploitation and abuse.

When senior gardaí testified before the Oireachtas Justice Committee two years ago they were clear about the links between Irish prostitution and criminal gangs both foreign and domestic.

The issues involved have been examined and re-examined over and over again during a four-year Government review of the law, an investigation by the Justice Committee which ended with unanimous backing for sex buyer laws as well as multiple media investigations showing that thugs run prostitution.

It is surely time for the targeting of demand for prostitution and sex trafficking to become a reality here too.

If the Government is really serious about tackling crime, it must cut off this trade with a ‘follow the money’ approach and bankrupt the millionaire pimps behind it.

Jennifer Murphy

Lios Rua

Ballyvolane

Cork