Red light campaigners lobby councillors

A NORTHSIDE woman has called on Dublin city councillors to back a national campaign to criminalise the purchase of sex.

Diane Kelly, from Clongriffin, who is an anti-trafficking officer with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, has also urged locals to get involved in the campaign by lobbying their public representatives.

Ms Kelly said it is vital that people get involved at a local level due to the horrendous experiences that women involved in the sex industry are subjected to.

Her calls came after Dun Laoghaire Rathdown councillors passed a motion calling on Justice Minister Alan Shatter to introduce legislation to criminalise the purchase of sex.

Speaking to Northside People, Ms Kelly said:

“I feel very strongly about this issue and the role of women in our society.

“This is an extremely serious issue as there is no doubt that the sex industry has exploded in Ireland.

“It is hugely important that everybody gets involved at a local level. We have seen numerous cases whereby brothels are popping up in every town or city; they’re everywhere.

?

Ms Kelly said the only way to stamp out the problem is by constantly lobbying local representatives and the Government.

“People have to realise that the women involved in trafficking are being controlled and exploited,

? she stated.

“They’re being forced into an industry as a means to survive. We would call on the Government to introduce legislation similar to the successful Nordic model, which has proven to be efficient.

?

Ms Kelly said the Nordic model helps to stamp out prostitution through utilising the threat of fines and criminal convictions for those who purchase sex.

She said that while it is illegal to solicit for sex in Ireland, it is not a criminal offence to buy sex here.

“We should introduce a system in Ireland that convicts those who purchase sex,

? she declared.

“The emphasis is on women who sell sex, but in most cases it is those women who are being forced into the industry against their will. The women are then liable for offences. We should instead decriminalise the seller of sex and criminalise the purchaser.

?

Ms Kelly said Dublin city councillors should note that 61 groups comprising doctors, nurses, public servants and survivors of prostitution, have formed an umbrella group under the title

‘Turn Off the Red Light Campaign’.

“We would urge everybody to get involved in this campaign by writing to councillors and ringing them. This is an issue that everybody should be actively involved in.

?

Ms Kelly said anybody who wants to take part in the campaign could log on to turnofftheredlight.ie for further information.

Meanwhile, Clontarf ward councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind) said it is hoped that the council will cover the motion seeking to criminalise the purchase of sex at December’s monthly meeting.

“This is quite a complex issue,

? he told Northside People.

“I would certainly be against the burden of criminalisation being placed on women, but this is an issue that has to be well thought out.

“Criminalising the purchase of sex could push it further underground.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily going to go anywhere as it’s considered one of the oldest professions in the world, but I’d agree that the legislation has to be changed so women are not being the ones who are burdened. My main concern would be the safety of women.

?

Meanwhile, 140 women are selling sex services in Northside areas, according to advertisements displayed last week on one of Ireland’s most prominent

‘escort’ websites.

The services being offered at prices of between e60 to e150 per half hour are available at a number of apartment complexes right across the Northside.