The Debate is Over Now is the Time for Action

Publication of Report on Future of Prostitution Legislation

by Oireachtas Justice Committee In June, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice published a report on the future direction of prostitution legislation in Ireland. The report was the culmination of an in-depth consultation process by the committee which took place over the previous months.

During the consultation, the committee received

over 800 written submissions and held a number

of hearings into possible changes to prostitution

laws, which are under review by the Department

of Justice. Ruhama and other members of the

Turn Off the Red Light campaign actively advocated for legislation which would focus on the

demand in the sex trade. Ruhama also included in its submission, recommendations of tougher

penalties for those organising prostitution, the update of existing legislation, and to address the

role of telecommunications in the advertising and organising of prostitution.

The Report Recommendations The committees report reflected the broad discussion and debate which took place. Ruhama and other members of the Turn Off the Red Light campaign welcomed the reports recommendation that the purchase of sexual services should be made a criminal offence. Ruhama CEO, Sarah Benson said; The recommendations of this report are a validation of the need to shift the focus of the law from those who are vulnerable and exploited in prostitution, who need support and not convictions - towards the sex buyers. Criminalising those who fuel the demand for women and girls for their own sexual satisfaction, is the most effective way to tackle trafficking and exploitation of prostitution and we hope that this simple but important amendment to the law will be implemented swiftly.

The committee also recommended increased penalties for trafficking for the purposes of sexual

exploitation, as well as for those who organise or live off the earnings of prostitution. It also

wants the accessing of websites that advertise prostitution treated in the same way as accessing

sites that advertise or distribute child pornography.

Ruhama would like more details before welcoming the recommendations which deal with the use of premises for prostitution and the granting of power to the Garda to shut down phone lines being used for prostitution. These recommendations need to specifically target the criminals involved in organised prostitution and not the women involved in prostitution.

Action Needed With the publication of this report, the time for debate is over, the Government now needs to implement its recommendations. It is really important in the coming weeks that we engage with all political parties to encourage them to act. We ask our supporters to take part in advocating for the implementation of the recommendations in the Oireachtas report. For details on how to contact your local politician visit www.turnofftheredlight.ie/action or email gerardine@ruhama.ie.

AUTUMN 2013

CONTACT US

Ruhama All Hallows College Drumcondra Dublin 9 Ireland Tel: 00353 1 836 0292 Fax: 00353 1 836 0268 Email: admin@ruhama.ie Web: www.ruhama.ie

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Main Story:

Now is the time for

Action 1

Ruhama Seminar Pathways Through

Prostitution 2/3

Volunteer News 3

Visit by Members of

Space International 3

Garda Training 3

Education & 4

Development

Resettlement

Fundraising

Ruhama is on Facebook and Twitter.

Stay connected for news and updates.

Gerardine Rowley, Ruhama speaking to RTE News

following the publication of the Oireachtas report.

http://www.turnofftheredlight.ie/action

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Ruhama Seminar: Pathways Through Prostitution (Thurs 7th November) Exploring Positive Support Models for Women Affected by Prostitution and Sex Trafficking

This event will host presentations and sessions featuring: International research on exiting prostitution and recovery from sex trafficking Ruhamas model of work with women in Ireland: highlighting current trends, challenges and good practice responses, including interagency collaboration Personal perspectives of survivors of prostitution & sex trafficking and identifying support service needs Facilitated discussion to assist stakeholders in examining and addressing this important issue

Who is this event for? Members of organisations working with vulnerable women, including domestic and sexual violence victims Migrant support service providers: statutory & non-statutory Health professionals Law enforcement Legal professionals Addiction service providers Homeless service providers Public representatives Students in relevant fields e.g. social justice, social work, law Individuals interested in issues of prostitution & sex trafficking

Please note: This is a free event but registration is essential and numbers are strictly limited.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/event/8034881547

Speaker Biographies Sarah Benson. Prior to her current role as CEO with Ruhama, Sarah was for eight years the manager of the National Domestic Violence Helpline with Womens Aid. In addition, she has extensive experience of work in the community and voluntary sector both in Ireland and abroad, working particularly with marginalised ethnic minority women and youth. Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts from UCD and a Masters of Philosophy (Gender & Womens Studies), TCD.

Dr. Jane Pillinger is a Dublin based independent researcher and social pol-icy advisor, and a former University Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, with a PhD from the University of Leeds. She provides policy advice for European and Interna-tional organisations and social partner bodies across Europe and internationally on social policy, gender equality, labour market issues and migration.

Jane has carried out national and international research and recently carried out a review of Ruhamas services and was the co-evaluator of the Dignity Project, which examined best practices in policy and providing services for victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Mia De Faoite is an activist on the issue of prostitution and sex trafficking; she has spoken at Trinity College, University College Dublin, NUI Galway and Dublin and Dundalk Institutes of Technology on the subject. Mia has engaged with this issue through national radio, theatre and TV to highlight the need for legislative reform that recognises ,and effectively responds to the harms and dangers intrinsic to prostitution. Mia is herself a survivor of prostitution and drug addiction. She is currently a student of Philosophy at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/event/8034881547

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Continued from page 2 Ruth Breslin holds a BA in Sociology and Social Policy and an MSc in Social Research Methods. Since 2008, Ruth has managed the team at Eaves that undertakes research, policy development, lobbying, training and awareness-raising on issues relating to all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on the exploitation of women in prostitution, includ-ing women who have been trafficked. Part of this work involved overseeing the largest research project of its kind to assess the effectiveness of inter-ventions designed to support women to exit prostitution. Ruth spearheaded recent research on prostitution and trafficking in London commissioned by the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime.

Volunteer News The Ruhama Volunteer Programme has been a hive of activity over the past number of months. We began our volunteer recruitment at the start of the summer and, as with previous years, have been overwhelmed by the large interest shown by individuals wanting to support our work. Were delighted to welcome our new volunteers, who have been participating in Ruhamas Volunteer training programme throughout September.

We also had the opportunity to work with other great organisations such as Community Awareness of Drugs, who delivered our Drugs & Alcohol Training and the Womens Health Service, who delivered training on Sexual Health.

During the summer, the creativity of the volunteers shone, with tutors delivering knitting, sewing and crochet classes, as well as fun and friendly drama classes. The start of the new school year is a particularly busy time for our Education & Development Team, which is largely made up of volunteer tutors and guidance counsellors. They are providing one to one classes in English and Computers as well as offering study support to women undertaking third level courses. Thank you to all our volunteer team for their continued support.

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Visit by Members of Survivors Group

SPACE International

The new survivors of prostitution group SPACE International (www.spaceinternational.ie) was launched in Dublin recently and we were delighted to have its Executive Director, Cherie Jimenez and Co-founder, Justine Reilly visit Ruhama.

Cherie told us about her work with women affected by prostitution at Kims House in Boston, USA.

Left: Cherie Jimenez, Executive

Director and Justine Reilly, Co-

Founder, SPACE International

Garda Training

Since 2011