MrNiceGuy2010 (15-01-12), Stephanie (17-02-12)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17061842
im so confused about the law on prostitution in n ireland- based on this news item it seems to me that the only legal thing is ONE girl on her own and independent
what IS the definition of a brothel and isnt an legitimate agency somehow 'controlling' prostitution
I read in the sunday newspapers this weekend that escorting is not illegal
Must be a fine line on all this never mind the CLEAR issue on human trafficking
many thanks patricia
I read the guide on this site as it pertains to the law in Republic of Ireland and Ill study the link to uk law above
One thing in your guide puzzles me:
'In the case where phone calls are answered on behalf of a number of escorts, this may be considered part of running an Escort Agency which is illegal in Ireland.'
I have seen Agencies advertise on EI and indeed there is an option to select an agency girl in the review process- are the girls answering their own calls in effect(not ever having met an agency girl in the Republic of Ireland i dont know how it works)
having briefly looked at the reference to uk law above I see there is something of a contradiction :
'The Sexual Offences Act 2003 changed most sex work laws, and has since been changed further.
Working alone indoors, or for an agency or in a brothel
All remain legal. Provided the worker is at least 18, and has not been coerced or deceived into providing the service, buying sex from them is also legal.
'Pimping', running an agency or brothel
All remain illegal.'
The defence must be:
'Controlling another adult's prostitution is only illegal if you gain from it (or know that someone else does). Looked at another way, gaining from someone else's prostitution is now legal: it's the control for gain that's illegal, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Ie you can run an agency and you can gain but if you do not control the girls then its legal
QED
How can it be legal for a girl to work for an agency without it being legal to run an agency!!!
Last edited by kingbee; 16-02-12 at 19:30. Reason: further study
The UK & therefore the Northern Ireland law allows Escort agencies to operate. But as with all law there are conditions. A UK agency can charge an "introduction fee" for escort services but this does not include or imply any knowledge of sexual services. Anything beyond the "introduction" is a private arrangement between the girl & the client. If an agency takes any percentage of the "personal" fee from the escort then they have committed the offence of living off immoral earnings. So typically a client will pay an agency fee to the agency & then a separate fee to the girl.
Irish law seems to have problems with the "introductory" bit & considers an Escort Agency as illegal because it "controls" prostitution.
Thanks for clarifying that , it is sometimes so difficult to interpret the meaning in the dry legislation but your explanation of the distinctions is very clear and in effect reassuring for someone like myself who has used Uk agencies in the past
One obvious answer, that won't be adopted, would be to allow Escort Agencies but to regulate them. I ran an agency in the UK & we had an excellent relationship with the Police. We also ensured that the girls worked in as safe as possible environment.