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Thread: New law could criminalise men for buying sex

  1. #1

    Default New law could criminalise men for buying sex

    From today's (Monday's) Irish Times

    CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent

    THE GOVERNMENT is considering radical new criminal legislation that would shift the Garda’s approach to prostitution by making it illegal for a man to buy sex but not for a woman to sell it.

    The legislation would put the Garda’s emphasis on prosecuting male clients rather than targeting women working as prostitutes.

    Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern has asked Attorney General Paul Gallagher to examine a report on similar laws introduced in Sweden that target male clients and have halved street prostitution over 10 years.

    The Attorney General’s advice is being sought on the legal and constitutional implications of introducing the Swedish-style law here.

    The Swedish legislation bans the purchase of sex by men but not the sale of sex by women, thus putting male clients at the centre of criminality around prostitution.

    A delegation from the Dignity Project, which provides services to trafficked women in the Republic, visited Sweden in September along with officials from the Department of Justice.

    They met Swedish officials to discuss Sweden’s evaluation of the ban on the purchase of sex some 10 years after it was first introduced there.

    The delegation submitted a report on the visit to Mr Ahern and it has since been sent to the Attorney General for legal assessment with a view to implementing the ban here.

    While Sweden became the first European state to ban the sale of sex in 1999, similar legislation has since been introduced in Norway and Iceland. If the same laws were introduced here, it is hoped the move would reduce the demand for sex from men because they would be more fearful of being caught.

    At present the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 makes it a criminal offence to solicit on the street or any other public place for the purposes of prostitution. A woman working as a prostitute can be prosecuted, as can a man trying to buy sex or a third party such as a pimp.

    However, it is not a criminal offence to buy or sell sex in the Republic.

    This anomaly makes it difficult for the Garda to prosecute women’s clients unless they are caught on the street.

    A huge portion of the Republic’s prostitution trade is conducted behind closed doors in apartments run as brothels that are advertised online as escort services.

    It is almost impossible for gardaí to prosecute those involved in that end of the trade because of its covert nature.

    However, a new law introducing a clear ban on the purchase of sex would greatly aid the Garda in that regard. It would mean any evidence, such as telephone records, that emerged linking a client to a prostitute or a brothel could be used to prosecute.

    Men would no longer have to be caught soliciting or kerb crawling. Women could still be prosecuted for soliciting but not for the sale of sex.

    New law could criminalise men for buying sex - The Irish Times - Mon, Jan 03, 2011

  2. #2
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    So how would this law affect Independant Escorts who charge for time and companionship?

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    Dermot Ahern wont be there after March to see any such law go through.

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    espensen (03-01-11)

  5. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by An don View Post
    Dermot Ahern wont be there after March to see any such law go through.
    True but some one else will
    who is going to stand against that bill seeing as it has become public?

  6. #5

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    The law, if it comes to pass, won't affect the escorts; it's the customers who are being targeted. It is being introduced to close off a perceived loophole in the law and to give greater powers to Gardai. As we know, paying for sex is not actually illegal in Ireland right now, even though most ordinary people probably think that it is.
    I wouldn't see huge cause for concern. Even if the law comes in there will still be a strong burden of proof on Gardai. Unless someone is caught handing over money, the Gardai won't have a case that will stand up in court. And they don't have the resources to effectively police it anyway. It will be a bit like possession of small amounts of cannibis - technically illegal but not something the Gardai will be really bothered enforcing. Expect to see nothing more than a handful of token arrests to placate the moral majority and to show that "the new legislation is working".
    As long as punters visit trusted and reputable escorts they should be ok and the business of these ladies shouldn't suffer.

    It would be interesting to see the statistics for the number of prosecutions in Sweden, Norway and Iceland since the laws were introduced in those countries.
    Last edited by John Shaft; 03-01-11 at 01:29.

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    espensen (03-01-11)

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    Quote Originally Posted by audi View Post
    the retiring ministers won't be able spend there money now . jes i'll have a nice nest egg this time next yearthe wife's clit will be worn out or else the babysitters
    Admirable language Audi…PMSL..

  9. #7
    steelyman Guest

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    I wonder what the escorts think of this, i mean, sure regular clients won't really be put off, but what about newcomers or casual clients? and what about ladies who are new to the scene and aren't quite "trusted and reputable escorts" just yet?

    on the other hand, if its made illegal that can only make it more fun right?

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    JAMESCORK (03-01-11)

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    Hi,

    Not sure whether it is the same law that was brought out in the UK not too long ago. Now if a guy gets caught going in or coming out of a place that is known to be run by pimps or more than 1 girl working, he gets fined 1k plus a letter sent to his address. Lots of guys who visit escorts are married or with partner so the letter home would be a nightmare. Also they now take your car if you are caught looking for streetwlkers....explain that to the wife!

    This is mainly to stop the pimps, it does not affect independants but the pimps will now advertise girls as working alone so clients really do need to be carefull and maybe do a bit of research before a visit.

    xxxx

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    JAMESCORK (03-01-11)

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    www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11437499]BBC News - Could Swedens prostitution laws work in the UK?

    Norway and Denmark have followed sweden with this law.
    Delegates from Sweden were here boasting about the moral mess they've made-
    I'd guess we will see a similar move here.

    I mean, overnight they stopped the drug industry when
    they shut the head shops.
    Last edited by warmcome; 03-01-11 at 11:18.

  14. #10

    Unhappy New Law could criminalise men for buying sex

    IRISH TIMES to day,The Government is considering radical new criminal legislation that would shift the Garda's approach to escorting / prostitution by making it illegal for a man to pay for sex but not for a woman to sell it......

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