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Trafficking Bill: MLAs vote to make paying for sex a crime | Trafficking Bill: MLAs vote to make paying for sex a crime |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly has voted by 81 to 10 in favour of making it a crime to pay for sex. | 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 a private member's bill on human trafficking and exploitation. | |
Clause six of the bill makes it illegal for someone to obtain sexual services in exchange for payment. | Clause six of the bill makes it illegal for someone to obtain sexual services in exchange for payment. |
Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to vote in favour of the measure. | Northern Ireland is the first part of the UK to vote in favour of the measure. |
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. |
Supporters said the clause in Lord Morrow's private member's bill tackled a main driver for human trafficking. | Supporters said the clause in Lord Morrow's private member's bill tackled a main driver for human trafficking. |
Opponents included Justice Minister David Ford who claimed it would be difficult to enforce. | Opponents included Justice Minister David Ford who claimed it would be difficult to enforce. |
Significant step | Significant step |
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it would accept some Sinn Féin amendments, a rare example of agreement between the parties. | The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it would accept some Sinn Féin amendments, a rare example of agreement between the parties. |
Sinn Féin had reserved judgment, but Caitriona Ruane finally signalled the party was prepared to support the move | Sinn Féin had reserved judgment, but Caitriona Ruane finally signalled the party was prepared to support the move |
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton of the DUP also proposed an amendment that would make it an offence for anyone to force someone else into marriage. | Finance Minister Simon Hamilton of the DUP 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. |