The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 was enacted back in March 2017. The law means that clients of sex workers can be convicted for the purchase of sex in Ireland. Now, nearly two years later, the first conviction has been made.
It seems as though the law was a long time coming, and once it came into effect, many expected the convictions to pile up. But it has taken nearly two years for a conviction. Is the law working?
The first conviction
Section 25 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 means that the purchase of sex is now against the law and so a criminal offence. If you pay for or promise to pay for sexual services in any way, you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
The man in question is 65 years, and has been fined €200 following “the purchase of sexual services” in West Dublin back in March of last year. It is the first conviction made under the act.
The case appeared before Dublin District Court this morning, after an investigation by specialist officers. The officers are part of Operation Question, part of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB). As a result, the man has been convicted.
Sex Workers Alliance Ireland
Those with knowledge of the industry have come forward to highlight just why this isn’t the great victory people see it as. Kate McGrew is the director of Sex Workers Alliance Ireland, and stated that “this man was collateral damage in an ill-fated war to end demand”.
Why? Because the man was at a “brothel”. Or rather, at a location where two or more sex workers were living together for their safety. This is illegal in Ireland, but a man being caught at a ‘brothel’ fits the narrative abolitionists are telling far better.
You can read the full press statement from SWAI below:
Is it the right move?
The Nordic model is one that many claim is the best thing for the industry. As Ruhama CEO Sarah Benson stated, “this case sends a clear message to Irish society that it is not acceptable to pay for access to another person’s body for sexual gratification”. Benson went on to say that “evidence has shown that tackling ‘demand’ is a key mechanism for preventing the sexual exploitation of the most vulnerable in our society. While the sex trade continues to thrive due to buyer’s demand, the criminal gangs running it are profiting”.
Except it doesn’t work. The Sex Worker Open University released a publication titled Swedish Abolitionism as Violence Against Women. In it, they make it abundantly clear that criminalising the purchase of sex doesn’t work. So why aren’t people listening? Here’s the summary from the publication:
“And so, to conclude, in spite of there being no evidence demonstrating that the sex purchase law has succeeded in decreasing prostitution, and in spite of the law’s negative impacts, Sweden postures internationally. The sexköpslagen is touted as having conclusively addressed the apparent problems of prostitution, advocated as a success to be exported to countries like Scotland.”
Swedish Abolitionism as Violence Against Women
Criminalising the purchase of sex pushes the industry underground. It does not magically save sex workers, instead it makes it more dangerous for them. Time and time again we are told that decriminalisation “is incredibly important for enabling access to justice when crimes are perpetrated against sex workers”.
People need to start listening to sex workers. Back in March 2017, Laura Lee told us that “this is a very dangerous law”. UglyMugs.ie has seen “increased violence against sex workers” since the law was introduced.
Now, this first conviction will be used as ‘evidence’ that the law is working, and sex workers will continue to be ignored. Why? Because people would rather stick to their own ignorant views on the subject than admit sex work is work, and that this law is harming them.
Since then she has gained a fine reputation with her blogs on sex advice, sexual health and amusing news stories from around the globe. She is also a campaigner for the rights of sex workers from all over the world.
In her spare time, Lara keeps herself active by going running, and is something of a film buff. She also loves to go travelling.
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