Women in the sex trade in Ireland are suffering a frightening level of violence, isolation, along with physical and mental health issues.
There's a list of support services at the end of this page for anyone affected by the content of this article.
That's according to a new study from UCD's Sexual Exploitation Research Project along with the HSE.
This two year study saw researchers speaking to 144 service users at the HSE women's health service in Dublin.
One woman told researchers that she'd been raped previously for a duration of 40 minutes, and was left bloodied after it.
Co author Ruth Breslin says it's a stark example of how common violence is:
"There are so many buyers, pimps, organisers, those involved."
"They have no problem in using violence to control the women you know, to make those women bend to their will and then to their demands."
"So, yes, it has a hugely traumatic effect and I think that was very clear in our samples."
We are pleased to join today's launch of @SerpUcd and @HSELive research supported by colleagues across the sector on the topic of the health and wellbeing impacts of prostitution.
Timely and key findings in this research to inform policy and decision making in this area. pic.twitter.com/blLgi2kJPM— Ruhama (@RuhamaAgency) November 16, 2021
Specialist Care Unit Needs To Be Expanded
Mia de Faoite is a Co Ordinator of the National Women's Council's Beyond Exploitation campaign.
She says the HSE Women's Health Service which offers non judgemental treatment for these women is only available in Dublin and needs to be expanded:
"Your only human contact in prostitution often becomes the men who buy you, and the other women that are trapped alongside you."
"So the Women's Health Centre, the nurses there, the empathy there, the nonjudgmental care is often the only human contact that women have."
94% of these prostitutes are foreign nationals.
So many have limited English and little or no immigration rights under Irish law.
Sheila Ní Sheaghdha @INMO_IRL speaking about the need to provide alternatives for those trapped in prostitution; including, but not limited to, training, language support and #exitstrategies #confrontingtheharm @SerpUcd @HSELive pic.twitter.com/BxK6cySK0S
— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) November 16, 2021
Supports:
- Ruhama offers a free support service to women who've been involved in prostitution.
- The Rape Crisis Network 24 hour helpline can be accessed at 1800 77 8888.
- An Garda Siochana has a list of support services here, including courts and legal advice services.
- Here's a how-to on reporting a sex crime.
- Samaritans will listen to any calls for help at any time of the day.
- Women's Aid has a free national 24hr helpline at 1800 341 900 for those who have suffered abuse at the hands of a partner, boyfriend or husband.
