Three very brave girls.....

[JAMESCORK]

… have just left a debate entitled “This house stands for Legalization”. It was a Debate Held in Trinity College Dublin to discuss the criminalization of the client as apposed to the legalization of prostitution. Thomas Pringle was the main player on the “Against Legalization” bench. Pringle who was at one point a member of SF is now Independent TD, and one considered to be on the left, for Donegal South West. He has become a staunch supporter of the model used in Sweden, advocated by the Turn off the Red Light Campaign here.

On the opposing bench was Laura Lee and our very own Rachel Divine and Vanessa xxx. Although Rachel had done this type of debate/conference before she was quite nervous yet confident. Poor Vanessa was a nervous wreck . Laura Lee spoke first followed by Thomas Pringle to a considerable audience. Pringle seemed to reiterate the same old ignorant and ill-informed spiel quoting statistics of trafficking, coercion and misfortune amongst sex workers. He in the course of his waffle stated that he believed many prostitutes work without the protection of condoms.

Rachel was to speak next. Poor Mr. Pringle…. She had a prepared speech, but that was quickly cast aside, as she was angered by Mr Pringles nonsense. She instead contested his arguments, ad lib, and really put him in his place with an informed and confident deliverance that brought cheers and rapturous applause from the enthused audience. Mr, Pringle was directly asked how many sex workers he had personally interviewed in order to arrive at his facts, to which he failed to answer.

Vanessa, having worked in Sweden for 6 months last year, under the Swedish model, was next to speak. Her well prepared speech pointed out the fear and uncertainty, forced on sex workers, having to do mainly out calls. She also pointed out that she had noticed still substantial numbers of street workers in Stockholm when the authorities had suggested a dramatic decrease. Vanessa suggested that the existing laws in Ireland were fine for sex workers save the allowance for two girls to work together securely without the fear of being considered a brothel and hence prosecution. During her speech she was also occasionally interrupted by applause from the audience.

In conclusion the debate was landslide win by the girls. Well done to both of you brave individuals. We can only hope that the more debates like these that show the real story from the real workers may sway those that will be deciding on pending legislation.

Well done Rachel and Vanessa...