From the recent relevations , a number of observations :
(a) the issue of trafficking is a real and more prominent problem than a lot of us were aware
(b) E-i was ,at best,indifferent about the possibility of trafficked girls on their site
(c) Many punters were,similarly, apathetic towards the possible plight of many girls
(d) As legislation approaches ,a more balanced,open debate about the entire profession of prostitution and its prominence in society will develop but in the absence of a female-led opposition group,legislation criminalising the purchase of sex is inevitable.
(e) And as a decent person,if this legislation successfully diminishes trafficking in any meaningful way,then i welcome it(as any decent person should).I enjoy visiting escorts but ultimately its a luxury experience and if denying the likes of me such luxuries genuinely helps in the fight against trafficking then sign me up.
Yes i dislike Ruhama's lies to an oblivious public - but they aren't the first organisation nor will be the last to do same.
Yes i despise Ruhama's vile hypocrisy : Protect vulnerable women except those abused by our colleagues :http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...299584327.html
Yes i'm disappointed at the soft ride (ahem) that Ruhama are getting from the media re their facts,figures,motives and hypocrisy.But ultimately if such legislation does help the most vulnerable in any way at the expense of my luxury then no problem.
Post-legislation ? Personally,i've no doubt whatsoever escorting in this country will continue - both independent and trafficked.Re the latter - fuck em - let the traffickers and their clients rot in hell. For the decent consenting adults of the former persuasion,that's all any of us are concerned about.
I bow to the superior knowledge of escorts who have worked in Sweden or similar legislative territories but here's my take on how the escorting world may change.
In the months leading up the change of law,interested punters will contact those escorts known to be independent(usually irish,uk and the longtime established as independent e.g. Libby,AmyAllison,SexyJessica etc.) requesting that their (anonymous) punting phone number will be retained by same escort.The escort then creates her own database of interested clients for each area and when a tour for said area is planned,she merely send a group text to relevant group re upcoming tour of their area .Minimum appointments of one hour .Rate for appointment goes up but escort only sees three appointments per day on a first come , first served basis - this is crucial as discretion applied will determine whether escorting in ireland is viable - if discretion is compromised by escorts taking too many appointments daily ,thereby drawing attention,arrests and criminal charges to clients will ensue,headlines will feature and future clients will walk away from the industry because of the very real and enforced legislation.
If the demand on appointments exceed the three-a-day vacancies,then the escort can simply add more days to her successful tour in the area.
The advantages for the escort : increased rates per appointment, more 'off-duty' time ,and most importantly,the elimination of time wasters as only the interested punters from the escorts database will know of escorts presence in the area via the escorts announcing texts.Any punter that acts the prick can be merely struck off her list.The escort will command a very healthy daily profit from her tours from a dependable,regular list of clients.
From the clients point of view : we'll have to pay higher rates per appointment (to offset the lesser available number of appointment vacancies needed to maintain discretion) but at least our luxurious self-indulgencies will be maintained.I've no doubt clients would be willing to pay that extra €50 to ensure safe punting.
In fairness to the gardai,they won't have much interest in criminalising consenting but discreet adults.We're all aware of their continued presence on this site and that some quite happily indulge in some of the services on offer.A tolerance for independent escorting will exist similar to the pre 1993 illegal homosexual activites in the Georges street area.More concern will rightly be concentrated on the (hopefully) less prevalent traffickers.
Post legislation, any website like e-i promoting the services of escorts will be promoting illegal activities so anybody participating as a client or escort (independent or not) is only looking for trouble when discretion really is the determining factor on the viability of tolerated escorting/punting.Certainly i wouldn't dream of visiting an escort who was loud enough to announce her presence in my area,on a website - never mind trust her with the discretion of maintaining a respectable number of daily appointments.
As i said earlier,i bow to the superior knowledge of those that have experience of the Swedish model but for me,i do think a responsible approach by the decent people of both client/escort population will ensure that everybody's desires/aspirations can be met.