More women seek Ruhama’s help

A
DRUMCONDRA-BASED organisation that supports women affected by prostitution says
that approximately 1,000 women are working in the sex industry on any given day
around Ireland.

Ruhama
launched its annual report for 2010 last week and revealed that it worked with
a total of 204 women last year, which is an increase of four per cent on 2009.

Nigeria

The
report noted that 61 per cent of those trafficked into Ireland for sex came
from Nigeria, with women also coming from countries such as Romania, Cameroon,
Albania, Moldova and Ghana.

“On
any day up to 1,000 women and girls are available for purchase for sex in
apartments, hotels, on the streets and in private clubs and massage parlours
across the country,

? the report stated.

Technology

The
report also noted that technology including mobile phones and computers are
making it increasingly easier for criminals to control prostitutes and move
them around the country in an attempt to avoid detection.

Sarah
Benson, chief executive of Ruhama, called for legislative change to protect
prostitutes by criminalising those who purchase sex from prostitutes rather
than criminalising prostitutes themselves, as is currently the case.

Campaigned

Ruhama
has campaigned for the Government to take similar steps to its counterparts in
Sweden where, in 1999, legislation criminalising the purchase and
decriminalising the selling of sex was introduced.

“The
focus has rightly turned in recent times, from the women and girls, and the
small number of men and boys who are in prostitution towards those who are
profiting,

? said Ms Benson.

“This includes of course the buyers.

“The
sex trade is a multi million euro industry in Ireland fuelled by their demand.

Positive

“A
positive step in overcoming this growth in the sex trade would be to stem
demand by criminalising the buyers through legislative change.

?

The full report is
available for download on Ruhama’s website at www.ruhama.ie