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File photo. Lewis Whyld/PA Wire

Barnardos highlights problem of 'loverboys' in child prostitution

June Tinsely of Barnardos said young men who act as boyfriends to teenage girls coerce them into having sex with other men.

CHILDREN’S CHARITY BARNARDOS has said the phenomenon of ‘loverboys’ coercing young girls into prostitution is growing.

Speaking to an Oireachtas Committee today, June Tinsley of Barnardos said young adult males become the boyfriend of vulnerable teenage girls, usually of around 13 or 14-years-old, and then force them to sleep with other men.

“The girls are terrified that the loverboy will break up with them and so they’ll oblige and then the boyfriend says he’s very proud of her and she feels happy that she’s made him happy,” she said.

“Quickly the girl becomes quite scared and emotionally dependent on the boyfriend because he threatens her and says he is the only one there to protect her.”

Tinsley said the young men are occasionally affectionate and the girls feel “totally trapped and confused”.

According to recent research, Tinsley said that young people aged twelve to fifteen are the most at risk of experiencing exploitation.

She said that while there are a number of laws for children who have been abused, none of them deal specifically with prostitution and its organised nature.

Tinsley said Barnardos is calling for the purchase of sex to be criminalised and also for the introduction of grooming as an offence which she said would help to tackle child exploitation.

“We believe this would reduce the chance of people being exposed and lured into abusive situations,” she said.

Related: Dáil committee to discuss Irish prostitution legislation>

Read: Cork City Council to vote on call for law against buying sex>

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33 Comments
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    Mute Diaspora'd
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    Feb 6th 2023, 11:34 PM

    Why is it still called a “Bank Holiday” in Ireland instead of what it is …a “Public Holiday”?

    The term “Bank Holiday” really smacks of bygone British colonialism.

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_holiday

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    Mute Fuji Hakayito
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    Feb 7th 2023, 2:40 AM

    @Diaspora’d: and your English language post doesn’t?

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    Mute Shedonny
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    Feb 7th 2023, 8:01 AM

    I still think that the Holiday should have been on 1 May, as it is in many other countries including our EU partners, to pay tribute to the huge contribution of the men and women workers who have financed this country with their taxes for decades.
    Weather would have been better in May too!
    Instead of dedicating it to a religious figure who may or may not have existed.

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    Mute Shaner Mac
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    Feb 7th 2023, 8:16 AM

    @Shedonny: Er, there is already a May bank holiday…

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    Mute Rob Jones
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    Feb 7th 2023, 8:30 AM

    @Shedonny: February not bad. Just coming out of depressing January. Something to look forward to. If not February, then July as we have one in May, June, and August.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Feb 7th 2023, 6:58 AM

    Clicked on the first option each time. Got 2/10.

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    Mute Gisèle Ní Mhoinséal
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    Feb 7th 2023, 10:37 PM

    The cloth is left out on 31 January – the eve of St Brigid, not 1 February.

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