This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-29699626
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Trafficking Bill: MLAs vote paying for sex to be a crime | Trafficking Bill: MLAs vote paying for sex to be a crime |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted by 81 to 10 in favour of making it a crime to pay for sex. | |
MLAs spent several hours on Monday debating the measures which formed part of Lord Morrow's private member's bill on human trafficking and exploitation. | MLAs spent several hours on Monday debating the measures which formed part of Lord Morrow's private member's bill on human trafficking and exploitation. |
Clause six of the Human Trafficking Bill makes it illegal for someone to obtain sexual services from someone else in exchange for payment. | Clause six of the Human Trafficking Bill makes it illegal for someone to obtain sexual services from someone else in exchange for payment. |
The Bill's supporters said it tackled a main driver for human trafficking. | The Bill's supporters said it tackled a main driver for human trafficking. |
The ban on paying for sex was opposed by Justice Minister David Ford. | The ban on paying for sex was opposed by Justice Minister David Ford. |
Significant step | |
The DUP said it would accept some Sinn Fein amendments, a rare example of agreement between the parties. | The DUP said it would accept some Sinn Fein amendments, a rare example of agreement between the parties. |
Opponents included Mr Ford, who claimed it would be difficult to enforce. | |
Sinn Fein had reserved judgment, but Caitriona Ruane finally signalled the party was prepared to support the move | Sinn Fein had reserved judgment, but Caitriona Ruane finally signalled the party was prepared to support the move |
There is still some way to go before the Bill becomes law, but the prospect of a ban on paying for sex in Northern Ireland has taken a significant step forward. | There is still some way to go before the Bill becomes law, but the prospect of a ban on paying for sex in Northern Ireland has taken a significant step forward. |
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton also proposed an amendment that would make it an offence for anyone to force someone else into marriage. | Finance Minister Simon Hamilton also proposed an amendment that would make it an offence for anyone to force someone else into marriage. |
The amendment was drawn up by Mr Hamilton, whose department has responsibility for registering births, marriages and deaths. | The amendment was drawn up by Mr Hamilton, whose department has responsibility for registering births, marriages and deaths. |
The amendment reflects the introduction of a similar offence in England, Wales and Scotland earlier this year. | The amendment reflects the introduction of a similar offence in England, Wales and Scotland earlier this year. |
There were more than 60 amendments to the Human Trafficking Bill. | There were more than 60 amendments to the Human Trafficking Bill. |
Outside the assembly on Monday, a group of sex workers wearing face masks made their opposition clear. | Outside the assembly on Monday, a group of sex workers wearing face masks made their opposition clear. |
'Laughing stock' | 'Laughing stock' |
Sex worker Laura Lee said Northern Ireland would regret the move. | Sex worker Laura Lee said Northern Ireland would regret the move. |
"I think it will be absolutely disgraceful and I think that we'll be able to show it as the failed model for what it is and we'll be the laughing stock of Europe," she said. | "I think it will be absolutely disgraceful and I think that we'll be able to show it as the failed model for what it is and we'll be the laughing stock of Europe," she said. |
A trafficking victim, known only as Anna, watched the debate and rejected the argument that a ban would push sex workers further underground. | A trafficking victim, known only as Anna, watched the debate and rejected the argument that a ban would push sex workers further underground. |
"The people who are saying that these laws, if they are put in place, would force it underground, I would say they are just trying to create panic when there is not any reason to panic because this is already underground," she said. | "The people who are saying that these laws, if they are put in place, would force it underground, I would say they are just trying to create panic when there is not any reason to panic because this is already underground," she said. |
"The only thing which would go underground would be the sex industry which would have to lose major income." | "The only thing which would go underground would be the sex industry which would have to lose major income." |
The debate lasted until late on Monday night. | The debate lasted until late on Monday night. |
Earlier, Mr Ford said he supported the spirit of the bill, but believed that a clause that proposed prosecuting those caught paying for sex made it impractical. | Earlier, Mr Ford said he supported the spirit of the bill, but believed that a clause that proposed prosecuting those caught paying for sex made it impractical. |
Research published last week suggested that about 17,500 men pay for sex each year in Northern Ireland. | Research published last week suggested that about 17,500 men pay for sex each year in Northern Ireland. |
The study by Queen's University, Belfast, was commissioned by the Department of Justice in response to Lord Morrow's proposed bill. | The study by Queen's University, Belfast, was commissioned by the Department of Justice in response to Lord Morrow's proposed bill. |
Meanwhile, another poll has indicated that almost 80% of people in Northern Ireland support the criminalisation of paying for sex. | Meanwhile, another poll has indicated that almost 80% of people in Northern Ireland support the criminalisation of paying for sex. |
The Ipsos Mori survey found support for the Human Trafficking Bill was strongest among people aged between 16 to 34. | The Ipsos Mori survey found support for the Human Trafficking Bill was strongest among people aged between 16 to 34. |