Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We understand the legislation is, supposedly, intended to empower sex workers, but their position will be empowered far less by it. A recent report by Amnesty International examines the issue in Norway. It is entitled, Norway: The human cost of 'crushing' the market: Criminalization of sex work in Norway. It explores the effect of similar legislation introduced in Norway in 2009. One of the results of that legislation is that sex workers now feel persecuted rather than protected by the police, limiting their right to equal access to justice. The report finds, "As is the case in many countries, sex workers are at a high risk of violence and abuse in Norway". However, rather than being a group with which the police prioritise building relationships to reduce their vulnerability and the risk to them, the report states many sex workers risk eviction, deportation, police surveillance and loss of livelihood if they report any incident of violence to the police. According to Amnesty International, no other group in society receives this much police attention and must live with it. Even though the workers concerned are not doing anything illegal, this attention is unwarranted, even by the offence with which their clients are charged, let alone by the fact that sex workers are not breaking the law. If the police wish to catch the purchasers of sex, it is not feasible for it to watch everybody in the community whom it might suspect would like to purchase sex. It will watch the sex workers; therefore, it will be more difficult for them to work in their premises where they feel more safe. Before people who wish to purchase sex will be prepared to part with their money, they will insist on the sex worker going to their place which will not nearly be as safe and where the threat of violence and the likelihood that they will be treated badly will be far greater. It just does not stack up.