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Researchers suggest 17,500 men pay for sex in NI each year | Researchers suggest 17,500 men pay for sex in NI each year |
(35 minutes later) | |
About 17,500 men pay for sex each year in Northern Ireland, a study by Queen's University, Belfast, has suggested. | About 17,500 men pay for sex each year in Northern Ireland, a study by Queen's University, Belfast, has suggested. |
The research was commissioned by the Department of Justice in response to DUP peer Lord Morrow's proposed Human Trafficking Bill. | The research was commissioned by the Department of Justice in response to DUP peer Lord Morrow's proposed Human Trafficking Bill. |
The bill seeks to make it illegal to buy sex. | The bill seeks to make it illegal to buy sex. |
Researchers surveyed 171 sex workers and 446 clients, looking at all aspects of prostitution, including trafficking for sexual exploitation. | Researchers surveyed 171 sex workers and 446 clients, looking at all aspects of prostitution, including trafficking for sexual exploitation. |
The study suggests that: | The study suggests that: |
However, Lord Morrow's Democratic Unionist Party has criticised the methodology used by the researchers, claiming the survey sample was too small. | However, Lord Morrow's Democratic Unionist Party has criticised the methodology used by the researchers, claiming the survey sample was too small. |
Paid-for consensual sex is not illegal in Northern Ireland. | Paid-for consensual sex is not illegal in Northern Ireland. |
However, selling sex at a venue shared with other prostitutes, the involvement of a pimp or "booker", and soliciting for sex in a public space are criminal offences. | However, selling sex at a venue shared with other prostitutes, the involvement of a pimp or "booker", and soliciting for sex in a public space are criminal offences. |
Lead author of the research, Dr Susann Huschke, said: "The sex industry has changed significantly over the last 10 years. | Lead author of the research, Dr Susann Huschke, said: "The sex industry has changed significantly over the last 10 years. |
"People are still working on the basis of stereotypes that aren't true." | "People are still working on the basis of stereotypes that aren't true." |
A majority of sex workers who were surveyed said they did not agree that it should be illegal to pay for sex. | A majority of sex workers who were surveyed said they did not agree that it should be illegal to pay for sex. |
More than a third of men questioned for the study mistakenly assumed they were breaking the law by paying for sex. | More than a third of men questioned for the study mistakenly assumed they were breaking the law by paying for sex. |
'Misery' | |
Lord Morrow's party colleague, Paul Givan, who is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly's justice committee, told BBC Radio Ulster he had "serious concerns" about the research document. | Lord Morrow's party colleague, Paul Givan, who is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly's justice committee, told BBC Radio Ulster he had "serious concerns" about the research document. |
Mr Givan described the sample size used by the researchers as "tiny". | Mr Givan described the sample size used by the researchers as "tiny". |
"To call it extensive is to grossly exaggerate that work that has actually been carried out by Queen's University," he said. | "To call it extensive is to grossly exaggerate that work that has actually been carried out by Queen's University," he said. |
Mr Givan claimed prostitution inflicted "misery" on the lives of sex workers, and led to women being used as "a commodity". | Mr Givan claimed prostitution inflicted "misery" on the lives of sex workers, and led to women being used as "a commodity". |
However, Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford defended the research and said the document was a "detailed" report written by six academics that stretched to more than 240 pages. | However, Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford defended the research and said the document was a "detailed" report written by six academics that stretched to more than 240 pages. |
Mr Ford said it was wrong "just to dismiss it, because it doesn't reach the conclusions that the justice committee might have wished". | Mr Ford said it was wrong "just to dismiss it, because it doesn't reach the conclusions that the justice committee might have wished". |
Meanwhile, another poll has indicated that almost 80% of people in Northern Ireland support the criminalisation of purchasing sex. | |
The Ipsos MORI survey found support for the Human Trafficking Bill was strongest amongst people aged between 16 to 34. |