Chai Brady
An Irish charity is encouraging the Garda to interpret law that criminalises sex-buyers in a way that stops women in prostitution having to appear in court for low-level offences.
Ruhama, a frontline NGO that works with women affected by trafficking and prostitution, is advocating for a fine system similar to traffic fines against sex-buyers, which can either be contested in court or paid on-the-spot.
CEO Sarah Benson said during an event marking the first anniversary of the legislation in Ireland: “In 2016 France introduced a similar law and by proactively implementing sanctions against sex buyers (including on-the-spot fines), French police are positively working with the law in many key jurisdictions, especially Paris, to ensure it acts as a deterrent and reducing demand.”
However this would not apply to more serious offences including trafficking which they accept require more thorough investigation and attendance of necessary witnesses in court.
Files
The Sexual Offences Act 2017 came into law in March last year, it criminalises the sex-buyer rather than the women involved in prostitution. This comes as since last year only two files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under the legislation – much fewer than several advocates hoped for.
The CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Brian Killoran, said that judging by the Swedish model (often called the ‘Nordic model’) introduced in 1999 the full effects of the law take place over time and lead to a “long term reduction in demand”.
“A key aim of this law is to better protect victims of sexual exploitation, including victims of trafficking for that purpose.
The legislation cannot be fully effective without improved resourcing for supported, safe exit pathways and opportunities to reintegrate into society. We would urge for this process to be prioritised.”
The law is subject to a three-year review.