Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THIS YEAR’S EU Anti-Trafficking Day takes place as Ireland has an opportunity to take the lead internationally in curbing criminal gangs which are profiting from exploitation, abuse and violence.
Together with other organisations which make up the Turn Off the Red Light campaign we will be marking the day with calls for political leadership on this issue.
We are conscious that already a Government review of our prostitution laws is more than 15 months old, and it is four months since the Oireachtas Justice Committee unanimously backed the introduction of laws targeting the buyers of sex.
It is important to note that during those periods the criminals have continued their evil trade unabated.
We know from the Government’s own figures that 48 people were trafficked here in 2012, 23 were children, most were women and girls, and most were sexually exploited. That is the reality.
We also know that senior Gardaí testified before TDs and Senators in February about the links between organised crime and prostitution – and that criminal gangs, foreign and domestic are running the sex ‘trade’ in Ireland.
In addition, the survivors of prostitution bravely agreed to relive their stories before the Committee members and in an effort to increase awareness have also shared their experiences in the media.
The politicians who examined the issues found the testimony not only compelling but all agreed the best way to end these crimes is to target demand – or in other words the buyers of sex whose actions have brought organised crime to every county.
These are facts which those behind prostitution are trying to undermine with a campaign of misinformation.
On social media the crime of sex-trafficking is almost dismissed with claims it only exists on a small scale, or does not exist at all.
We are also being asked to believe that prostitution is work and should be treated like any other job. Pimps and traffickers are portrayed as model employers and as protectors of vulnerable women – the trade union movement, employers and the Gardaí all reject this myth.
In addition spurious health arguments are put forward, which again do not stand up to any scrutiny.
In the wake of this summer’s Oireachtas Recommendations the sex ‘trade’ is making every effort to re-open Ireland’s prostitution debate. Every trick in the book is being used with the sole purpose of muddying the waters and creating confusion.
Perhaps the mis-information and myths should come as no great surprise given that the criminals are estimated to be pocketing between €180m-€250m a year.
The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter is currently considering the recommendations and has confirmed that he is consulting the Attorney General as well as other cabinet colleagues.
At the Immigrant Council we have welcomed the interest the Minister has shown in this area, and we have been fully involved in the review of the law.
However, we are also mindful that the only people benefiting from the delays are the criminals.
Throughout the review we have been overwhelmed by the level of public support for sex buyer laws. The 68 organisations which make up the Turn Off the Red Light campaign have a combined membership of 1.6 million members.
In addition to our partners thousands of people acting as individuals have joined our email campaign to politicians through www.turnofftheredlight.ie/action
Fifteen local Councils have added their voices to the campaign and have passed motions of support. The past year has seen members of Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin vote in favour of sex-buyer laws, echoing a motion already passed by the Labour Party.
We will be asking Fine Gael members to do the same at their Ard Fheis in the New Year.
Our opportunity to put the pimps under pressure has arrived. It is important now that our politicians seize it and set an example to other nations which are also examining their laws.
The Justice Committee has given us the blueprint now it is the time to act and together ensure that Ireland Turns Off the Red Light.
Denise Charlton is Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, one of the founding organisations of the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Instant 3 years in jail.
Let them do their job.
Spot on. All emergency workers should be protected and allowed do their job.
Out government voted against doing mandatory jail time …. So it’s going to continue to happen unfortunately
why just emergency workers Joe?
Nurses should be in front line for same scheme. Not alone should firefighters be compensated the should have the right to turn fire hoses on the thugs that attack them.
Well said frank
That seems perfectly reasonable. Everyone is entitled to a safe working environment and if that can’t be provided they deserve compensation.
3 years in prison and a 25 thousand euro fine, if they are under 18 hit the parents for it, even if they have to take it from their welfare.
The 25k fine would be a waste of time , if they are trying to assault firefighters I’m guessing they don’t have that kind of money
No but % of earnings or loss of all welfare would focus the mind
Thats my point, If it cost the parents they might try teach them right from wrong.Some parents do try but some just let the kids run wild.A teenager does not start by trying to hurt the emergencey services, lm sure you will find smashed windows and annoying neighbours started it off.If it was niped in the bud at that stage then we would not have this problem.
I agree fine them and prison time but applying the penalty to parents…not sure about that one. You strive to bring children up with proper morals, respect for the law and others- but if you’re dependent is say 16/ 17, which is old enough to know right from wrong I would not like to have to pay €25,000.
Give them something akin to a student loan and let them repay it when they’ve copped on to themselves.
This might give the government the kick up the arse they need in legislating against these attacks
Assault is already illegal.
Not only is assault on the statue books but also a separate offence of assault on a peace officer which was extended to all emergency workers I.e nurses, doctors, paramedics and fire fighters.
it should be an automatic 10yrs for anybody that attacks any kind of emergency personnel
10 years jail and compulsory neutering.
I cannot agree more
They deserve it.
Why is this scheme only being proposed for firefighters in Dublin? Should it be in place for firefighters country wide?
Please can we bring in some form of Judge Dredd justice
Try telling a judge to give compo to a Garda, nurse or Firefighter. Dream on guys they don’t give a damn about any of ya….
This should apply to all nurses not just psych nurses
Compulsory jail time of 3 years with no remission
How about the guards and courts step in to make sure the little f’n scobies don’t do it? This claim for everything you can get society is going too far And SIPTU! !?? Don’t even start me. Overpayed and redundant union that should not have 1 member after the shafting they’ve achieved for their loyal supporters.
Yeah, unbelievable! A trade union trying to make sure its members are compensated for injuries at work! Whatever next???
The only way the government will get really serious about preventing assaults on emergency workers is if it starts to cost them more to do nothing than it costs to do something. And let’s see SERIOUS sentencing for anyone who attacks emergency workers. What kind of scut would attack a firefighter or ambulance driver?
Assume penalty for attacker not tax payer unless siptu want to contribute
I’m sorry guys but have to disagree. Where does this stop… its not only Fire Fighters that get assaulted, how about Nurses, Doctors, Social Welfare staff, bar workers, restaurant staff, security guards, teachers etc… Every worker that deals with the public are potential targets for assault. This is the public sector just looking for extra cash any way they can get it. The answer is simply jail the offender, that is adequate compensation.
So a firefighter gets seriously assaulted, say needed stitches on his face leaving his face permanently disfigured. You agree that he should receive no compensation what so ever.
As it is any employee (public or private)can take his employer to court if he is assaulted. This compensation scheme is designed to prevent it going to court in the first place and saving all parties (except lawyers) the money and hassle. It is already in place for Garda and should be for all front line workers who are subjected to this kind of assault on a regular basis. Before anyone says it NO. We didn’t sign up for rocks to be thrown at us.
Cormac, that’s exactly what I’m saying. If this scenario happened while on a night out in the pub, would you be compensated…..no. The tax payer is broke…. There is no pot of gold anymore….. The tax payer pays for the medics, hospital, and medication. Would you prefer if we gave an option to either compensate for an injury or fix the injury. I know what most would select. The old Fainna fail / tiger economy mind set needs to be expunged. The free money days are over.
To little to late. No longer represent the worker anywhere. Go away
Choo, chop, I can hear the gravy train.
So why only Dublin firefighters??? Would firefighters in the retained service not be entitled to compensation for being assaulted? IFESA looking after the full time again!
have your say