Prostitution. The so-called oldest profession in the world. But with the trafficking of women increasingly forming the bedrock of the sex industry in Ireland, Stephen Rogers investigates just how prevalent prostitution is in one Irish city, Cork.

From all corners of the island, across all demographics, and on a wide range of issues, grassroots activism has gone mainstream. From first time marchers to advocates with decades of experience, campaigners have made their political power felt this year, writes Joyce Fegan.

Campaigns like SHAG and SHIFT weeks aim to put the focus on the big issue of sexual consent at third level institutions, writes Áilín Quinlan

Over a decade ago, plans surfaced suggesting Dublin was going to take water from the Shannon. It wasn’t a joke, writes Caroline O’Doherty

ON Nov 27 I got a very sad phonecall from Bernadette Fahy and a text from Paddy Doyle.Both Bernadette and Paddy are amazing people who are survivors of institutional abuse.

The State’s forensic science laboratory is seeing a “continuous upward trend” of sexual assault cases, with a 30% rise so far this year.

I estimate that this is the fourth Christmas column I’ve written for the Irish Examiner, and while I haven’t looked back at the others, I have a sneaking suspicion there are certain similarities between them all.

What has tumbled out in the aftershock of Jimmy Savile’s unmasking as a serial abuser has given pause for thought on many fronts, writes Michael Clifford.