Ireland Considering Action on Sex Trafficking

Prof Liz Kelly of London Metropolitan Uni was speaking recently in Ireland on the subject of sex trafficking into the country. She said that a small minority of men pay for sex, and that maybe it's time the men who don't pay for it stand up and say something to the men who do. I think she is getting at the idea of making paying for sex socially unacceptable among male groups. At the moment there is still this nudge nudge wink wink idea that some male social groups have. The idea that it is all harmless and the prostitute is always a willing participant still dominates which is what we need to fight against and some campaigns like TTIS has been doing that.

When asked what Governments might do, Prof Kelly said like Sweden they could make it illegal to buy sex or it could encourage a debate about buying sex and what it means, and talking to young men about it.

Ok, the former will have some effect no doubt, however, it wont have a big enough effect to change the statistic meaningfully. After all, taking drugs is illegal - that doesnt seem to stop millions doing it, does it? The solution lies in educating the demand-side. Making it unacceptable (different from making it illegal) to use prostitutes. Now, I am no bleeding heart who thinks the answer to everything lies in discussion without punishment of wrong-doers but I do think Governments criminalising punters is only one angle.

As I have said before, the reason fewer people drink and drive these days is because it has become socially unacceptable to do so. The shocking images of the TV campaigns at Christmas have helped that. Making buying sex socially unacceptable, like drink driving, and therefore reducing demand will go a long way to helping reduce this awful problem. The criminals behind it will have to find more lucrative businesses.

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