Department of Justice-funded research released today recommends the full decriminalisation of sex work.
The University of Limerick report found street sex workers face ‘discriminatory behaviour’ from Gardaí, with one in 5 participants saying they've experienced sexual abuse by members of the force.
25 street sex workers in Dublin and Limerick were interviewed over 100 hours - the report concludes that the 2017 Criminal law act, which made it illegal to buy sex but legalised the sale of sex, worsened conditions for workers as buyers were forced into secluded areas in fear of being arrested.
Dr Anca Minescu, author of the report and lecturer in psychology at University of Limerick, says buying sex should also be made legal:
They want to work and they are proud of their work.
They don't steal, they don't hurt anyone, they don't rob places
So why are they being not allowed to learn a living by selling sex, especially when the law specifically allows them to sell sex.
This is the difficulty on the cards.
