A demonstration was held outside the Dáil tonight to mark International Day to End Violence against Sex Workers, and appeal for the decriminalisation of sex work.
The event was backed by Amnesty International and the People Before Profit/Solidarity TD, Ruth Coppinger.
Speakers asserted that laws currently in place, which claim to protect sex workers and keep them safe, actually result in a heightened risk of harassment and violence.
Organisations, like the Red Umbrella Collective, suggested that what was actually required was the decriminalisation of sex work.
Deputy Coppinger said she plans to introduce legislation to that effect into the Dáil next year, and she appealed for cross party support.
"If you are involved in sex work, because many aspects of it are illegal, it does make it more dangerous," she said.
The Solidarity TD contended that attempts to legislate on this issue, by criminalising the purchase of sex, "hasn't worked."
She asked: "Criminalising somebody who is working in sex work, mainly for economic reasons is what most people have cited here this evening, what’s the benefit of that?"
Deputy Coppinger also argued that the reality of the existing law was that sex workers "have to hide even more to protect your client, to protect your income."
She said decriminalisation would mean that sex workers would "not have to hide" or take more measures to protect themselves and not have to remain "under the radar" from both the Gardai and the judicial system.
