PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 26th September 2011
Law Banning Purchase of Sex would Reduce Sex Trafficking and Prostitution in Ireland
Swedish and Norwegian police share their experience of ban
Legislation criminalising the purchase of sex - which is modelled on that applied in some Scandinavian countries - could be very effective in controlling demand for prostitution and, consequently, play a significant role in reducing sex trafficking in Ireland. That’s according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Ruhama who, today (26.09.11), organised an information exchange in Dublin between police from Sweden and Norway and agencies working in the area of prostitution and trafficking.
According to the Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland: “In recent years, together with organisation like Ruhama, we have been examining solutions to curb sex trafficking. One of the most effective initiatives we have identified is legislation in Sweden that criminalises the purchasing of sex. This has brought about a reduction in demand for prostitution and trafficking, and there is very broad public support for the initiative. Similar legislation has also, more recently, been introduced in Norway and demonstrated similar results.
“We are confident that today’s exchange will increase awareness and understanding of the importance of penalising the purchase of sex as a measure to reduce prostitution and trafficking. In fact, we understand that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence is giving serious considering to applying the Swedish model. To this end, we are hopeful that today’s visit will provide greater impetus to bring forward such legislation,” she said.
In 1999, Sweden passed legislation that specifically prohibited the purchasing of sex without criminalising its sale. A 10-year review on the impact of the legislation highlighted a halving of street prostitution in Sweden and a reduction in organised criminal activity.Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm – with a population of 1.5 million – now has approximately 200 people engaged in prostitution. Meanwhile, in Barcelona – which has the same population as Stockholm – there are 20,000 people engaged in street prostitution. Norway introduced similar legislation in 2009.
During their visit to Dublin today, the police delegation briefed a wide range of agencies and NGOs working in the area of prostitution and trafficking including unions, professional associations, the HSE, the Legal Aid Board, housing associations and gender based violence services. They also met with members of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI. The delegation included Detective Superintendent Jonas Trolle and Patrik Cederlöf form the Swedish police force as well as Detective Chief Inspector Thor Martin Elton and Detective Inspector Stian Jacobsen from the Norwegian police force.
It is estimated that 100,000 people are trafficked within the EU annually* and that, in Ireland, over 1,000 women and girls are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation, the majority of whom are migrants**.
Sarah Benson, Chief Executive of Ruhama, said: ‘Through our front line services which deal directly with women affected by prostitution, we are acutely aware of the harmful effects of the sex trade. We believe it is imperative that the rapidly increasing Irish sex trade - which has expanded throughout the country in recent years and exploited thousands of women - is seriously tackled.
“It is our view that a law criminalising the purchase of sex would send a very clear message to those who buy sex that Ireland – as a society – does not tolerate such exploitation. Such a law which does not have any significant Exchequer implications and can easily be drafted by adopting the main provisions from the Swedish and Norwegian statute. We certainly hope that a prohibition on the purchase of sex is something that will become a reality in Ireland over the coming year,” she added.
Footnotes:
* Source: Home Affairs Select Committee, UK.
** Source: Immigrant Council of Ireland (Kellehear et al., 2009)
ENDS
Contact:Catherine Heaney / Lydia Ishak, DHR Communications, Tel: 01- 4200580 / 087-2309835 / 086-3868615