Why can’t the cops just on to an escort website make appointments and raid the apartments? They could take all the money that’s there and make life very hard for this crime to exist. Everyone knows that this is how most of the prostitution exists in Ireland nowadays.

@ I Love Lamp – You appear to know the issue, eh, well. Very well. Been on these sites often?

I was told about it and I couldn’t believe it would be that easy to find a prostitute so I had a look. That would be the height of my interest in them as I’ve no need for them. I would find it very hard to believe you have never heard of these sites.

if those sites were illegal they would be taken down, I believe that’s the loophole their speaking of, prostitution is not illegal in Ireland, brothels and street walking are.. (so one of the lads told me :P)

(At least in the UK, Barnardos have been joint owners of secure institutions with the Good Shepherd sisters, who are, currently, joint owners of Ruhama, and in the past used to own a shedload of Magdalen Laundries, including the last to close in Wexford in 1996.)

But, mustn’t grumble, because I, in turn, would love to see a crackdown on moral redundant and morally bankrupt aspects of the the over priced, overpaid, largely self appointed and self serving NGO sector that would represent an equal, if not greater, threat to the livelihoods of many members of Turn Off the Red Light.

David, that is promoting your own site and your unsubstantiated opinions, not evidence.

Have you ever even met a sex worker? Because I know there is a small group who are interested in meeting with you at some point and trying to dispel some of the mythology you have in your head.

Suzanne Sheriden…how do you know they are sleazy? Have you ever met a client?

Ruhama was founded in 1989 as a joint initiative of the Good Shepherd Sisters and Our Lady of Charity Sisters, two of the four religious orders that ran Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries.

Perhaps rather than listening to a religious group like that, we should listen to sex workers themselves, and take their views into consideration – like the” Turn Off the Blue Light” campaign – http://www.turnoffthebluelight.ie

Have you met any of these poor trafficked women? I worked beside a brothel before the gardai closed it down. All the women who came in to dine we’re confident and outgoing and possibly flirtatious. I guess the latter comes with the job Description.

Firstly, to my certain knowledge the majority of women are no, in any way coerced into selling sex, so that doesn’t apply.

Secondly, when selling sex was the only way I had to survive at all, I certainly did not feel it was remotely “sleazy” when my clients paid me a decent livelihood for my work….

No, if anything, the organisations who would cheerfully even deny someone like me their only option on survival for the sake of a sense of superiority, control, and/or the continuance of a generous NGO salary…they are “sleazy” to me.

Not in and of itself, no. Depends on who is involved and how they choose to carry themselves.