Finally an Irish political party has framed legislation to criminalise users of trafficked prostitutes. The FG proposals have potential to stamp out this lurid trade. Thankfully the government has accepted the FG proposals.
The following is an FG press release on the subject:
"Measure could reduce trafficking of people into Ireland
Fine Gael has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking after the Government adopted the Party's proposals to criminalise a person who knowingly avails of sexual services from a person who has been trafficked into the Country.
Fine Gael has achieved a significant breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking after the Government adopted the Party's proposals to criminalise a person who knowingly avails of sexual services from a person who has been trafficked into the Country.
The Fine Gael amendment to the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 was accepted by the Government.
"The aim of this amendment is to make it illegal to be a beneficial recipient of services of someone who has been trafficked. Anyone availing of the services of a person who has been trafficked, and where they are aware of this fact, should be liable to prosecution.
"The aim of this amendment is to make it illegal to be a beneficial recipient of services of someone who has been trafficked. Anyone availing of the services of a person who has been trafficked, and where they are aware of this fact, should be liable to prosecution.
"When Sweden criminalised the purchase of sexual services from people involved in prostitution, there was a huge decrease in trafficking. The new Swedish law also sent out a message that the practice is socially unacceptable, which in turn has affected demand.
"There is a clear correlation between supply and demand in any market. I therefore hope that this amendment will help to reduce significantly the number of people illegally trafficked into this country, usually against their will, for the purpose of prostitution."
The Fine Gael amendment accepted by the Minister will make it illegal for a person who:
(a) Uses the sexual services of a person with the knowledge that the person is a victim of trafficking in human beings, or(b) Procures the sexual services of a person with the knowledge that the person is a victim of trafficking in human beings.
"This is also a significant breakthrough in combating prostitution in general. To date, Irish law has criminalised persons who solicit sexual services. But for the first time a person who avails of the service will now be liable to prosecution."
This Bill Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 will now go to Seanad Éireann for its second reading."
(a) Uses the sexual services of a person with the knowledge that the person is a victim of trafficking in human beings, or(b) Procures the sexual services of a person with the knowledge that the person is a victim of trafficking in human beings.
"This is also a significant breakthrough in combating prostitution in general. To date, Irish law has criminalised persons who solicit sexual services. But for the first time a person who avails of the service will now be liable to prosecution."
This Bill Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 will now go to Seanad Éireann for its second reading."
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