Dr. Matthew Sadlier:

The Swedish figures are taken from a report which is referenced in our submission from the Swedish Institute. The Deputy is right. Data collection, pragmatically, can be difficult, especially when one is talking about underground or illegal prostitution because, by its nature, it is difficult to measure. The argument for the Swedish model is that it reduces the demand for prostitution services. By reducing demand one reduces the drive among certain people to enter the market through the forced exploitation of others. It looks at the demand rather than the supply side of the equation.

I accept the Deputy's point that men or women who enter prostitution - a certain percentage of men do enter prostitution - do so for various reasons. To allow them to exit one needs outreach services, specifically in the areas of education and drug and alcohol treatments.