Sex trade campaigners claim to have backing of 80 politicians to criminalise prostitution

Published: Thursday, February 09, 2012

SEX trade campaigners have claimed backing from 80 TDs and senators for their demands to criminalise prostitution in Ireland.

An umbrella group, calling itself Turn off the Red Light, want to see Nordic-style legislation introduced here which would grant sex workers immunity while those who buy sex are prosecuted.

While it is illegal to solicit for sex on the street or in public, it is currently not a criminal offence to buy or sell sex in the Irish Republic.

Sarah Benson, of Ruhama - one of 48 organisations in the campaign - said the threat of fines and criminal convictions similar to that in Sweden, Norway and Iceland was needed to stamp out the exploitation of vulnerable sex workers.

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