Legislation to end sex for rent must be prioritised by Justice Minister
Legislation to end sex for rent must be prioritised by Justice Minister - The Labour Party
Speaking in advance of the National Women’s Council conference on housing precarity, homelessness and violence against women and girls in Dublin today, Labour Senator Laura Harmon has called on Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to keep his word and enact legislation to criminalise the practice of offering rooms to rent in exchange for sex.
Senator Harmon said:
“In May, Minister O’Callaghan committed to bringing legislation to cabinet that would tackle ‘sex for rent’ in response to legislation published by the Labour Party to end this practice. Four months on, I am urging the Minister to be true to his word and move now to deliver real protections for vulnerable renters, particularly for women at risk of homelessness.
“Government has committed to acting so why the delay? Indeed, I have sought a meeting with Minister O’Callaghan on this matter but he has yet to act to end this abuse.
“Unfortunately I’m aware that ads still exist online where people are clearly using the housing crisis to prey on vulnerable people living in insecure housing. It needs to stop and it needs to stop now.
“A report from the National Women’s Council last year shone a stark light on just how prevalent this is. Marginalised women, particularly those already at risk of homelessness, are being targeted by men who offer housing in return for sex. This is happening in modern Ireland—and it is a national disgrace.
“Criminalising ‘sex for rent’ is about justice and protection. We must send a clear message: abuse will not be tolerated, no matter the guise under which it presents itself.”