Men who buy sex from women trafficked into Ireland are the target of a new hard-hitting television advertisement launched today.
The short ad features an actress posing as a young woman from eastern Europe who arrives in Ireland enticed by the prospect of a job, but quickly falls into prostitution.
Ruhama, the group behind the campaign, warns that, under new laws, those who use trafficked women for sex could face up to five years in jail.
Director Kathleen Fahy said society must tackle the link between the sex trade and human trafficking.
“Trafficking for sexual exploitation is inextricably linked to prostitution,” Ms Fahy said.
“The facts are clear, as the sex trade in Ireland has grown, so too has the trafficking of women from eastern Europe, Africa and south America to meet the growing demand.”
Ruhama said it has worked with around 50 women in the last two years believed trafficked into Ireland and warned of the growing normalisation of the sex business.
It is also estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 are trafficked across international borders annually.
In June new laws were passed creating separate offences of trafficking of adults and children for labour and sexual exploitation.
The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 also makes it an offence to sell or offer for sale, or to purchase or offer to purchase, any person, adult or child, for any purpose.
Ms Fahy said she believes the new legislation will have an impact on those who use prostitutes. “It is our view that this new legislation and the penalties it imposes will make them think twice,” she said.
“It is also our hope that this legislation will lead the way in creating new norms and new standards.”
Ms Fahy said a public awareness campaign was essential to help crush the trade and change attitudes. She also urged anyone with information on prostitution to pass it to the gardaí. The TV ad will run on RTE and Setanta Sports over the next month.
PA