Prostitution in the Republic of Ireland

Prostitution in Ireland is legal. However, since March 2017, it has been an offence to buy sex.[1] All forms of third party involvement (such as operating brothels, sex trafficking, and other forms of pimping) are illegal but are commonly practiced.[2] Since the law that criminalises clients came into being, with the purpose of reducing the demand for prostitution,[3] the number of prosecutions for the purchase of sex increased from 10 in 2018 to 92 in 2020. In a report from UCD's Sexual Exploitation Research Programme the development is called ”a promising start in interrupting the demand for prostitution.”[4][5] Most prostitution in Ireland occurs indoors. Street prostitution has declined considerably in the 21st century, with the vast majority of prostitution now advertised on the internet.[6]

  1. ^ Edwards, Elaine (27 March 2017). "Minister for Justice signs new laws on sexual offences". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993". electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB).
  3. ^ Farrell, Alan (25 January 2015). "Opinion: Buying a woman's body for sexual gratification is not a harmless act". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Women in prostitution in Ireland experience 'endemic violence'". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  5. ^ "The Irish Times view on prostitution in Ireland: signs of a cultural shift". www.irishtimes.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  6. ^ Gallagher, Conor (29 July 2017). "'It's clearly a brothel, yet nothing can be done'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 April 2018.