XXX and escort services being offered in Kilkenny raises questions around prostitution laws

As debate rages on about the laws around prostitution in Ireland, multiple websites openly offer sexual and escort services right here in Kilkenny. 

Selling sexual services is currently legal in Ireland however it is against the law to buy or offer to buy sexual services, raising further questions around such websites and current legislation.

On one website, freely available to view publicly online, there are multiple profiles of women listed as being presently in Kilkenny charging 'for time and companionship only' - at least according to the website.

The website further notes, "Anything else that occurs is a matter of coincidence and choice between consenting adults."

This is despite the fact that there are various sexual acts being listed as 'favourites' on individual profiles.

Another website that hosts classified escort ads has multiple ad listings of a sexual nature listed in Kilkenny.

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For example, one listing states: "I am an escort and I live in Kilkenny alone in my apartment."

Another states: "Available for all your hassle-free sexual satisfaction services with respect and discretion."

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 made important changes to the law on prostitution.

It made paying for sexual services a criminal offence. Previously, paying for sexual services was only criminal if the person selling sex was either a victim of trafficking or a minor.

It also removed some of the criminal offences that were in place for selling sexual services.

While selling sex is not a crime, many laws directly or indirectly criminalise the work of sex workers.

For instance, if two sex workers work together indoors for safety, they can be charged with 'brothel-keeping' and face the threat of legal prosecution.

A recent report from Amnesty International stated: “Our research clearly shows that criminalising the purchase of sex is forcing sex workers to take more risks while penalising brothel keeping is preventing sex workers from working together to ensure their own safety.”

The research highlights the lack of data on sex workers’ experiences and the government’s reliance on outdated and flawed research that conflates human trafficking for sexual exploitation with sex work.

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