National Women’s Council calls for urgent action to end Sex for Rent exploitation
Published: Tuesday, April 08, 2025
The Private Members Bill Prohibition of Advertising or Importuning Sex for Rent Bill 2025, introduced by Labour Senator Laura Harmon in the Seanad puts a much needed spotlight on the devastating impact of sex for rent exploitation on vulnerable women and the urgent need to criminalise this form of exploitation, the National Women’s Council (NWC) said ahead of the debate.
Ivanna Youtchak, Violence against Women Coordinator with NWC said,
“Sex for rent exploitation forces vulnerable women in precarious housing situations to choose between sexual exploitation and homelessness. The impact that this has on women cannot be overstated, making the very place they should feel safest – their home – a place of sexual exploitation.”
Research by NWC from 2024 into Sex for Rent exploitation found that the most marginalised women including those fleeing domestic violence, women seeking to leave Direct Provision, and other disadvantaged migrants are particularly vulnerable to this form of exploitation, because of the barriers they face in accessing suitable accommodation and the lack of resources available to them. Sex for rent exploitation primarily affects women who are renting a room in a house, as opposed to own-door accommodation so they enter a situation of living with their predator. Currently these renters (licensees) do not have the protections granted to tenants.
Ivanna Youtchak continued,
“In line with the commitments in the 2025 Programme for Government, clear steps to end the exploitation of women affected by sex for rent exploitation are crucial. NWC is calling for legislation to outlaw sex for rent practices to be introduced. In addition, NWC wants to see an extension of legal tenancy protections to all renters, including licensees under the Residential Tenancy Act. Ultimately, we will only end this sexual exploitation by successfully tackling the housing crisis and ensuring safe, quality housing and accommodation is available for everyone who needs it.”
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