The Turn Off the Red Light campaign, which is supported by IMPACT, is challenging TDs to introduce legislation in the new Dáil term to criminalise the purchase of sex in order to end abuse, exploitation and human trafficking.

The Oireachtas Justice Committee made a unanimous recommendation for such legislation before the summer recess, following a process which attracted 800 written submissions and public hearings.

IMPACT is just one of 68 organisations which form the Turn Off the Red Light campaign which has been campaigning for  the new laws. The campaign is supported by trade unions, employers, emergency workers, farming groups, human rights organisations and survivors of prostitution.

The Government announced a review of the laws on prostitution last year. The Oireachtas Justice Committee undertook a detailed examination of the issues and arrived at a unanimous conclusion that the way forward is to introduce laws targeting those who purchase sex.

Meanwhile, 19 children were discovered in Irish ‘commercial sex’ during 2012 and an average of 800 women are offered for sale on-line every day.

Diane Kelly of the Immigrant Council of Ireland explained “The Criminal Assets Bureau estimates that the activity of the sex trade in Ireland is worth €180 million a year, which is why those behind the industry have sought to oppose any change to the current legislation, and have attempted to wage a misinformation campaign.”

Diane added, “We know from countries where prostitution was regularised that it has failed. Amsterdam is now trying to reverse its laws on prostitution and local police are actively cracking down on the red light district which has become a hub for human trafficking and other crime.

“The use of underage girls in legal brothels has forced the authorities to increase the minimum age for entry into prostitution, while Amsterdam police say up to 50% of managers in the brothels have criminal records. To ask us to believe that pimps and traffickers will overnight become model employers is not credible” she said.

IMPACT is supporting the campaign’s call to ensure that the new Dáil term will respond to the unanimous recommendations of the Justice Committee and use them for the basis of drafting new legislation. The union is also encouraging members to lend their voice to the campaign. It takes just one minute to contact your TD through the action page. Visit www.turnofftheredlight.ie/action.