RCNI Press Release 02 November 2006
Punishing prostitutes won't solve the problem of prostitution
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today, in light of the conviction for prostitution metted out to Ms Mulhall, question the utility of the law which convicts and punishes women and men in prostitution but does not punish pimps and lets the punters off scot free.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director, asked ‘what does it achieve to prosecute people in prostitution? Our legislators continue to persecute these soft targets of the sex industry which has little if any impact on the industry as a whole. If the government is serous about tackling prostitution and its associated exploitation and trafficking, then criminalising those individuals who sell their bodies is hardly an effective way to go about it. The Irish State seems powerless to make legislation on brothel-keeping stick. It is slow to bring into effect legislation on trafficking and has no legislation to address those who pay for the use of the bodies of women, girls and young men. The RCNI cannot condone a set of laws and practices which does nothing to tackle those who control and buy the bodies of girls, women and young men. The government needs to tackle the demand side of prostitution.
The Swedish government led the way in tackling prostitution 8 years ago by putting in place legislation to target demand. In 1998 the Swedish Ministry of Labour stated that “by prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, prostitution and its damaging effects can be counteracted more effectively than hitherto”. It is estimated the number of women in prostitution in Sweden fell from 2,500 in 1999 to 1,500 in 2002 and the numbers of women being recruited into prostitution has almost halted. In Sweden today, trafficking rates are estimated to be 500 a year compared to approximately 3,000 to Denmark (which has half the population) and Finland where between 10,000 and 15,000 women were trafficked for prostitution in 2003. In Sweden this law is a tangible expression of the belief that women and children are not for sale. This law has had very real positive impacts on the sex industry in Sweden.
It is high time the Irish government acted on the clear evidence of the Swedish model and outlawed and pursued those whose custom fuels the international trade in sex and human beings.
• Last year 19 cases of prostitution came to the attention of the gardai. They detected all 19 cases, 12 were charged with 3 were convicted in 2005 and a further 8 cases pending.
• The gardai noted 7 cases of brothel keeping but only detected 3. While one case was sent to the DPP’s office in 2005 no convictions have been recorded or are known to be pending.
• Charlotte Mulhall, who is awaiting sentence for the murder of Mr Noor, was additionally convicted yesterday for soliciting on Lad Lane near the Grand Canal in September of this year and fined €200.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
……………………..END…………………….
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director, asked ‘what does it achieve to prosecute people in prostitution? Our legislators continue to persecute these soft targets of the sex industry which has little if any impact on the industry as a whole. If the government is serous about tackling prostitution and its associated exploitation and trafficking, then criminalising those individuals who sell their bodies is hardly an effective way to go about it. The Irish State seems powerless to make legislation on brothel-keeping stick. It is slow to bring into effect legislation on trafficking and has no legislation to address those who pay for the use of the bodies of women, girls and young men. The RCNI cannot condone a set of laws and practices which does nothing to tackle those who control and buy the bodies of girls, women and young men. The government needs to tackle the demand side of prostitution.
The Swedish government led the way in tackling prostitution 8 years ago by putting in place legislation to target demand. In 1998 the Swedish Ministry of Labour stated that “by prohibiting the purchase of sexual services, prostitution and its damaging effects can be counteracted more effectively than hitherto”. It is estimated the number of women in prostitution in Sweden fell from 2,500 in 1999 to 1,500 in 2002 and the numbers of women being recruited into prostitution has almost halted. In Sweden today, trafficking rates are estimated to be 500 a year compared to approximately 3,000 to Denmark (which has half the population) and Finland where between 10,000 and 15,000 women were trafficked for prostitution in 2003. In Sweden this law is a tangible expression of the belief that women and children are not for sale. This law has had very real positive impacts on the sex industry in Sweden.
It is high time the Irish government acted on the clear evidence of the Swedish model and outlawed and pursued those whose custom fuels the international trade in sex and human beings.
• Last year 19 cases of prostitution came to the attention of the gardai. They detected all 19 cases, 12 were charged with 3 were convicted in 2005 and a further 8 cases pending.
• The gardai noted 7 cases of brothel keeping but only detected 3. While one case was sent to the DPP’s office in 2005 no convictions have been recorded or are known to be pending.
• Charlotte Mulhall, who is awaiting sentence for the murder of Mr Noor, was additionally convicted yesterday for soliciting on Lad Lane near the Grand Canal in September of this year and fined €200.
Notes:
• The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information contact Cliona Saidlear 087 2196447
……………………..END…………………….
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
