Women's Aid, which helps women and children who have been subjected to violence, has called on the Government to decriminalise prostitution. This follows the murder of a young heroin addict who was working as a prostitute.
Gardai investigating the fatal stabbing of Ms Sinead Kelly have yet to make any arrests. No suspect has emerged and a search continues for the knife used to kill Ms Kelly (21) on the towpath of the Grand Canal at Herbert Place last Sunday night.
Yesterday Ms Niamh Wilson, spokeswoman for Women's Aid, said criminalisation of prostitution effectively makes vulnerable women even more vulnerable.
"The criminalisation of prostitution deters prostitutes from reporting assaults, as the fear is, whether real or perceived, that any complaints will culminate in their own prosecution," she said.
"Effectively, the safety of women who work in prostitution is being put at risk, by a law which purports to protect them."
The organisation also called for policy guidelines and training to be given to gardai on dealing with crimes against women working in prostitution.
Ms Wilson added: "A written policy and training would certainly be the first step in alleviating the fears expressed by prostitutes about reporting violent crimes against them."
Wreaths line the canal bank in Herbert Place where Ms Kelly's body was found early on Monday morning. A teddy bear and cards, reading, "You are loved and missed by all in Ballymun" and "You are always in our hearts", were among the tributes.