Abstract
The Republic of Ireland’s new Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 (2017 Act) criminalised sex purchase. Drawing on primary data from reports made by sex workers in Ireland to UglyMugs.ie, we analyse trends in violent and other crimes against sex workers in Republic of Ireland (hereafter Ireland). Examining the four-year period 2015–2019, we highlight the various crimes sex workers experience, including incidents of hate crime. Analysis of UglyMugs.ie data found that crimes (including violent offences) against sex workers increased following the introduction of the new law and continued with low levels of reporting of said crimes to the police. The data suggest that the 2017 Act heightens the risks for sex workers. Here, we advocate an intersectional framework to provide a more nuanced understanding of how sex workers in Ireland experience violent and other hate crimes (ICRSE, 2014). We suggest that considering the international research evidence, the most conducive framework in which to reduce violence against sex workers is that of full decriminalisation ( Platt et al, 2018 ). But, as others have pointed out, that legal reform needs to be in tandem with other policies and a refocusing of police resources on sex worker safety, better enabling reporting and access to justice.
Highlights
As other articles in this themed issue establish, Irish criminal law changed in 2017 when law was introduced (Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 – hereafter the 2017 Act), which made it a crime to pay for sexual activity with a prostitute, at the same time laws on soliciting which criminalised sellers were removed
Our analysis of UM data highlights the types of victimisation sex workers in Ireland are experiencing
It highlighted the wide spectrum of victimisation sex workers experience, including serious sexual and violent crime as well as online and in-person abuse, harassment and hate crime
Summary
As other articles in this themed issue establish, Irish criminal law changed in 2017 when law was introduced (Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 – hereafter the 2017 Act), which made it a crime to pay for sexual activity with a prostitute, at the same time laws on soliciting which criminalised sellers were removed. When announcing the Bill in 2014, the Minister for Justice and Equality stated; ‘. I strongly believe that this proposal is the best suited to address the trafficking and exploitation associated with prostitution. It sends a clear message that purchasing sexual services contributes to exploitation’. She said ‘the proposal I am announcing today reflects an All-Island consensus to targeting the predominantly exploitative nature of prostitution’ (Department of Justice and Equality, 2014). This illustrates the government position that the aim of the bill was to address trafficking and exploitation of people in sex work.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
