Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 2

Written Answers. - Attacks on Prostitutes.

Austin Deasy

Question:

9 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice the concerns, if any, she has regarding recent press reports of increasing numbers of attacks on prostitutes in Dublin city; and the plans, if any, she has to introduce legislation to legalise prostitution and afford a reasonable level of protection to these women. [12844/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I might make it clear that prostitution itself is not an offence. What the law seeks to do in this area is to protect society from the more intrusive aspects of prostitution, such as soliciting in the streets, and to protect prostitutes from exploitation by pimps living on the earnings of a prostitute. I also emphasise that the full protection of the criminal law is available to prostitutes. The law is there for the protection of everyone and will be enforced to that end.

I am aware of a recent article in the press in which prostitutes indicated that the incidence of violent crimes against them is on the increase. However, from inquiries I have made, I understand from the Garda that they received only two reports of such attacks on prostitutes in Dublin city in 1995 and three to date this year.

If it is the case that there has been an increase in the incidence of assaults then these have not been reported to the Garda. I would urge any prostitute who has been assaulted and has not reported the incident to the Garda to do so.

As the Deputy is aware, the law in this area was updated by the 1993 Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act. There seems to be a perception that provisions of that Act are placing prostitutes at greater risk of assault. The argument is that prostitutes, under greater pressure from the Garda, have less time to assess their clients and determine whether they are violent types. I am afraid I have a difficulty accepting this argument.

It is regrettable but it seems to be the case that a risk of assault has always been associated with prostitution whether that risk comes from clients, pimps or others. That is not to say that the risk is in some way acceptable. I want to make it crystal clear that crimes of violence against prostitutes are a serious concern both to me and to the Garda. The protection of the criminal law applies to all. I would again urge any prostitute who is assaulted to immediately report the crime to the Garda.