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Victim Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (346)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

346. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice the supports for women seeking to leave sex work; and the plans her Department is considering to implement further supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15590/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It is generally recognised that prostitution is inherently exploitative of vulnerable persons, mainly women and girls, and that many people are forced into prostitution through trafficking, drug addiction, homelessness and poverty.

My Department provides funding to Ruhama, an organisation that provides supports to people who are exiting prostitution.

During the Covid pandemic my Department provided additional Covid related funding to a number of organisations, including Ruhama, to ensure they can continue to deliver their vital services during this time and this funding continues.

It will also be of interest to the Deputy to note that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 removed those who offer their services as a prostitute from the existing offences of soliciting for the purpose of prostitution and criminalised the purchase of sex.

A key purpose of the 2017 Sexual Offences Act was to provide additional protection to persons involved in prostitution, especially vulnerable persons and victims of human trafficking. It allows those engaged in prostitution to provide information to Gardaí, for instance if they were subjected to violence by clients, without fear of prosecution for selling sexual services.

Section 27 of the 2017 Act provides for a review of Part 4 of the Act three years after it is commenced. In the context of the goal of the legislation, which is to protect vulnerable persons, the review will include consideration of whether further measures are needed to strengthen protection for persons who engage in sexual activity for payment.

The review of Part 4 is being carried out by an independent expert and is ongoing.

Officials in my Department are also working on a legislative amendment to expunge previous convictions for ‘sale of sex’, or prostitution offences. This is a significant step in recognising and responding to the needs of victims of sex trafficking, and those forced to provide sexual services, which will include people trafficked into Ireland for that purpose.

Given the link between trafficking and prostitution, I would like to also assure you that the Government is fully committed to addressing human trafficking in all forms under Irish and EU legislation and the principal international conventions.

The Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking involves a victim-centred and human rights based approach with the ultimate aims of preventing human trafficking, ensuring an effective criminal justice response and delivery of supports to victims.

In that regard, my Department provides funding to several non-governmental organisations for their work to provide support to victims of trafficking.

Separately, last year the Government approved plans to revise the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to make it easier for victims of human trafficking to come forward, be identified, and facilitate their access to advice, accommodation and support.

Currently, when suspected victims of human trafficking are encountered by, or referred to, An Garda Síochána, they are provided with a wide range of services by both the Government and NGOs through the NRM. The new approach acknowledges that other state bodies and NGOs have a role in identifying victims of human trafficking and referring them to An Garda Síochána.

Action is also being taken to raise public awareness in Ireland and help members of the public identify the signs of human trafficking. More information is available on www.blueblindfold.gov.ie, a website maintained by my Department.

An Garda Síochána last year formally established the Organised Prostitution Unit, attached to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau. The establishment of this specialised unit reinforces the service's commitment to protecting vulnerable persons, including victims of human trafficking involved in prostitution here.

An Garda Síochána also continues to commit significant resources to the investigation of human trafficking and organised prostitution, and to supporting vulnerable victims including those who have been victims of trafficking. A specialised Garda Unit, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU), has been established to coordinate delivery of the national strategy.

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