View Full Version : Prostitution law may cause harm to women
Article from today's Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1019/1224306074609.html
Sexy Sandy 69
19-10-11, 12:20
Thank god someone is at last talking sense, trying to get people to realise that the criminalization of 'purchasing sex' is not the answer & that not all escorts are trafficked, a term that is used all too frequently when referring to escorts. Some in the society may not want to acknowledge this, but alot of escorts work independently & of their own free will.
Sandy of Newcastle x
rubberlover
19-10-11, 12:51
At long last a rational article looking at the complexity of the issue. But remember our Gov are weak and will capitulate to the mass hysteria that revolves around this emotive issue. Heads in sand etc etc.
At long last a rational article looking at the complexity of the issue. But remember our Gov are weak and will capitulate to the mass hysteria that revolves around this emotive issue. Heads in sand etc etc.
Have to agree with you Rubber, yes the Gov will not be doing about it soon however in my opinion, I don't think they are overly concerned about this matter, there are more issues for them to ponder that this one at the moment.
Franken996
19-10-11, 16:46
Some of the Comments are pretty good too:
"Australia has legalised brothels but still has sex slaves. Maybe we're looking at the wrong issue. "
I smh when I see Ireland blindly following other jurisdictions when draconian laws have failed e.g.Sweden. It's bad enough that IRL imported housing bubbles & the allied funny money practices from the US- can't Irish society ever learn to think for itself?!
Here in the States, we have Prohibition of Escorting.. but there's more punting going than ever, Prohibition doesn't work... you'd think the Yanks'd have learned that in 1933, let's hope Ireland will get this too..but I'm not holding my breath.
Article from today's Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1019/1224306074609.html
Thanks Aman, for bringing this excellent article to our attention.
What impresses me is that it's written by an Irish female academic - which adds weight in this sort of debate. (Given that any man who opens his mouth can be accussed of being a chauvinist or a punter!).
What I find encouraging is the responses to the article. Many seem to agree that criminalizing clients isn't a solution. And some have made the distinction between prostitution and trafficking (something that Ruhamma and the TORL have sort to equate as one and the same thing).
So I am more optimistic. Maybe there are sensible people out there (not involved in the industry) who may highlight the folly of the "Swedish" model.
One little thing that irked me (in an otherwise excellent article) was the picture of a street walker on the top of the article. We all know that street prostitution is illegal both for escort and client. The fact that it's associated with this article just gives a very sleazy image of the escorting industry. Small thing, but perception is everything!
ladiesman217
19-10-11, 18:29
I hope to God that there are some people in our government with someone of the same mind frame as Dr.Ward. Finally someone with a bit of cop on speaking about the reality of the sex industry and the consequences the proposed client criminalisation will have on those who work in the industry. It is rather uplifting in a sense to see a well written piece of journalism that doesn't fall prey to biased and propaganda.
I hope to God that there are some people in our government with someone of the same mind frame as Dr.Ward. Finally someone with a bit of cop on speaking about the reality of the sex industry and the consequences the proposed client criminalisation will have on those who work in the industry. It is rather uplifting in a sense to see a well written piece of journalism that doesn't fall prey to biased and propaganda.
Amen to that brother LDM! :).
However, being the cynic that I am, I've found that "cop on" and politics don't go together! :( Whatever about hoping that there are some in the government with the same 'mind frame', lets at least hope that there are some in the government who are major punters!!:p And would therefore need to oppose this bill!!
Bring back Fiana Fail, I say!!! They were all at it!!!:lmao:.
ladiesman217
20-10-11, 18:50
Amen to that brother LDM! :).
However, being the cynic that I am, I've found that "cop on" and politics don't go together! :( Whatever about hoping that there are some in the government with the same 'mind frame', lets at least hope that there are some in the government who are major punters!!:p And would therefore need to oppose this bill!!
Bring back Fiana Fail, I say!!! They were all at it!!!:lmao:.
You know what Morph, I've a better idea. Let's start our own fecking party! "Democratic Punters United" or something to that effect :D Let's face it we couldn't do any worse, and then we'd be able to introduce measures to combat the dark side of the industry and make the laws a safe haven for all the escorts :)
You know what Morph, I've a better idea. Let's start our own fecking party! "Democratic Punters United" or something to that effect :D Let's face it we couldn't do any worse, and then we'd be able to introduce measures to combat the dark side of the industry and make the laws a safe haven for all the escorts :)
Just don't call it Democratic United Punters. A certain political party up here might not like the abbreviation. Could lead to alot of confusion :D
ladiesman217
20-10-11, 19:01
Just don't call it Democratic United Punters. A certain political party up here might not like the abbreviation. Could lead to alot of confusion :D
*facepalm* LDM you eejit! I'll think of something don't worry :D
Much attention is focused on Sweden as the pioneers of this law (Boycott all swedish goods)
But of course Norway has it too
Hwever some are saying (wait shocker comming) its not working
A documentary on Norewgin TV showed a reporter buying sex in Olso
Conservative TD (or whatever it is in Norway) has called for the law to repealed saying it hasnt worked and that prostitution is as wide spread as ever.As of April 2010 the Pro Center (set u to help prostitutes) saw 130 more sex workers than the year previously
here is a google translate article Obviously I cant translate the video
http://translate.google.ie/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tv2.no%2Fnyheter%2Finnenriks%2Fvil-fjerne-sexkjoeploven-3474578.html&act=url
This refers to street prostitution which is illegal here so would make no difference
I'm sorry for dragging up this old thread, but as someone who has experience in the area, the existing law DOES cause harm to women, but the willpower is not there to change things. I encourage everyone on this forum, even those who may not agree with so-called curb crawling, to join the "Turn off the Blue Light" Campaign (http://www.turnoffthebluelight.ie/).
We all know that the women on the streets deserve better. We also all know that the Gardai have more serious laws to enforce to combat organised crime, and that they should be dedicating their efforts in Limerick and elsewhere to stopping organised criminality.
Jack in the Box
28-02-12, 17:49
What you're saying is true Banjaxed. And you're right- as many as possible should support the Turn Off The Blue Light Campaign.
Brunette Tess
09-03-12, 16:24
Just wondering what's going on with these talks, any further information about when a decision will be made?