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Critics Condemn UK Proposal to Legalize Northern Ireland Brothels

Say legalising brothels would only exacerbate trafficking in sex trade workers

By Gudrun Schultz

SOUTH BELFAST, Ireland, November 24, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A government proposal to legalise brothels in Northern Ireland has drawn strong condemnation from women’s organizations and political leaders, Ireland On-Line reported yesterday.

Leading the opposition was Ulster Unionist Assembly member Esmond Birnie, who issued a press release on the issue.

“South Belfast already has dozens of brothels operating at any particular time in rented apartments and this has not reduced problems in relation to kerb crawling in the area or indeed various immigration or trafficking abuses,” Dr. Birnie said.

“The government’s recent proposal to allow two or three prostitutes and/or receptionist or maid to work together legally in brothels is not a solution to the many problems associated with south Belfast's expanding vice industry.”

The government proposal to permit the establishment of legal brothels stated, ““At present only one person may work as a prostitute; more than that and the premises are classed as a brothel and are therefore illegal.

“This runs counter to the advice that women should not work alone in the interest of safety.

“The government (in England and Wales) plans to bring forward proposals for an amendment to the definition of a brothel so that two (or three) individuals may work together.

“We would propose to make similar amendment to the law in Northern Ireland.”

Mr Birnie said: “There is no evidence that decriminalisation or toleration of prostitution would achieve the objective of reducing exploitation, improving the safety of those involved and making resident communities safer.”

“The definition of prostitution as 'work' for women deeply threatens the rights and status of women everywhere. In the European Union, the Netherlands and Germany have already legalized the commodification and sale of women's bodies, with none of the social and economic benefits it was supposed to bring."

Further, he warned that legalized brothels would mean " no prohibition or restraint on advertising. Sex tourists will be able to book travel to South Belfast via the internet and make appointments to buy sex acts before they leave home."

As well, critics of the proposal say legalising brothels would only exacerbate trafficking in sex trade workers, allegedly an increasing problem in Northern Ireland.

A spokeswoman for Ruhama, an organization helping women involved in prostitution, told the IOL she would not support any legalisation of prostitution.

““Evidence has shown that in countries such as the Netherlands, where prostitution is legalised, it has not made it any safer for the women,” she said.

“While legalising prostitution can be proposed under the guise of helping the women involved, in reality it only enables the pimps to operate with legitimacy and impunity.”

Pimps have responded angrily to Catholic activists who were leafleting against legalization of prostitution. Gregory Carlin of the Irish Anti-Trafficking Agency was out distributing leaflets and was accosted last week.

To contact Mr. Birnie:

Dr Esmond Birnie MLA
Ulster Unionist Party
Northern Ireland Assembly
Parliament Buildings
Stormont,
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3XX


Phone: 90873794 or 07703-184459

See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

Young Women Forced into Prostitution in the UK - More Evidence that Prostitution Leads to Sex Slavery
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/oct/05100304.html

Germany Rethinks Legalized Prostitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/may/05051301.html

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