Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 58:

In page 38, after line 12, to insert the following:

“PART 9

CHANGING SEXIST AND ANTI-LGBTQ ATTITUDES

56.The Minister for Justice and Equality is to report on measures that could be taken by the State to combat sexist and anti-LGBTQ attitudes in society, including: a review of sex education in schools and colleges; classes on consent, respect for women and LGBTQ people and the damaging effects and exploitative nature of the sex industry; and public awareness campaigns on consent and to discourage men from buying sex, within six months of the enactment of this Act.”.

The purpose of the amendment is to tie in with the stated intention of the Minister in introducing criminalisation of the purchase of sex. We are proposing that measures need to be taken in society to combat sexist and anti-LGBTQ attitudes in society. We are proposing a review of sex education in schools and colleges. Classes on consent are in place at third level but not at second level. There needs to be a discussion about respect for women and LGBTQ people and the damaging effects and exploitative nature of the sex industry. We also need to discourage men from buying sex. In effect, we need a public awareness campaign on consent, and for this to take place within six months of the Act being enacted.

After the Minister put forward her proposal, we proposed other amendments relating to exit strategies. We need to put in place real supports, including financial, language, addiction and welfare supports as well as many other supports, to allow people who want to get out of sex work to do so. If such supports are not in place, the number of vulnerable people involved in prostitution will not reduce. That is the reality.

The amendment also targets demand. There is demand for the purchase of sex. It is created by our culture and society. Basically, our society prioritises the needs of men – 99% of the purchasers of sex are male – and subordinates the needs and desires of women. LGBTQ people are involved in prostitution as well. Of course vulnerable men are involved in sex work too, as are transgender people.

The amendment would seem like common sense if the Minister were serious about bringing about a change in behaviour in society in respect of sex work and prostitution. If that is the goal, these measures are essential.

Amendment No. 59 also calls for a full review of the rights of victims. The provision is found in others aspects of the Bill relating to sexual offences. Free counselling and independent legal advice and so on are among the supports needed for those affected.

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