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No Shame no stigma, no stigma, cop on & talk about it Written in black marker on canvas

Press release: Ireland’s sex work laws are fueling violence and endangering lives

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (17th Dec) exposes how laws that claim to protect are, in reality, resulting in harassment, violence and even death. The structural violence and stigma that sex workers face in Ireland are a result of a whorephobic* state that ignores sex workers’ needs in favour of laws based […]

Minister for Justice’s last act is to betray sex workers

Reports that the review of the law governing sex work in Ireland has been postponed until 2025 is a significant failure of accountability and transparency. The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) condemns the Minister for Justice’s continued delays in releasing the promised review of the Nordic Model of sex work laws. The long-awaited review was […]

Ask your candidate General Election 2024

Day 6: Are you aware that the law is currently being reviewed? Do you support the Department of Justice finishing this internal review, jeopardising the whole exercise? This review has been postponed until 2025 and is a significant failure of accountability and transparency. It will now be delivered 5 years late if this new date […]

Press release: Garda and court stats are proof that sex work laws are a complete failure

Statistics published by the Minister for Justice on the 8th of October demonstrate that sex work laws are failing on their own terms. Meanwhile, sex workers in Ireland have faced increased violence, threats, murder and stigma.

Illustration of arms in a protest. One is holding a megaphone, two are holding placards

Press release: Stalking and harassment of sex workers in Kerry

The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) wholeheartedly condemns the actions of a group targetting sex workers in Kerry. Linda Kavanagh, spokesperson for SWAI said “Need we remind people that sex work is supposed to be decriminalised in Ireland? Surveillance of women going to a place of work by an anonymous group is harassment.” She continues […]

Sex workers in Ireland face more stigma than other countries says new research

Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) and other sex workers’ rights advocates have welcomed the new research published today by Lynzi Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand that finds that criminalisation harms sex workers in Ireland. This research shows that sex workers in Ireland have been ignored about the harms of […]

Nordic Model Murders Sex Workers, handwritten on cloth with black and red markers

Press Release: Current sex work law did nothing to stop brutal rapist jailed for 18 years

A serial predator is now off the streets thanks to brave sex workers coming forward, against all odds Yesterday Mr. Justice Tony Hunt sentenced Aaron Barwell (29) to 18 years in prison for the rape and assault of three sex workers. Mardi Kennedy, coordinator of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) commented on the case […]

Ask your candidate 2024

On June 7th, we will head to the polls to elect politicians representing us locally and in Europe. We’ve created a comprehensive checklist to help you ask election candidates the tough questions about sex workers’ rights. Your voice matters in advocating for fair and humane policies. It’s time to hold candidates accountable and ensure they […]

End Violence Against Sex Workers written on a piece of cloth, with a drawing of a red umbrella over it

1 year on, Irish state and Gardaí don’t care about the murder of a sex worker

Anniversary of Geila Ibram’s Murder Highlights Continued Neglect of Sex Workers’ Safety by Irish Government As we approach the first anniversary of the tragic murder of Geila Ibram, a sex worker in Limerick, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) berates the Gardaí for continued lack of contact, while violent offenders prey on this community. Linda […]

Farcical review of sex work law being conducted by Dept of Justice

SWAI wholeheartedly condemn the Department of Justice’s Handling of Sex Work Laws Review The Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland (SWAI) expresses deep disappointment and frustration regarding the Minister for Justice’s written answer to the parliamentary question put forth by Catherine Connolly on the 22nd February. This follows the Minister’s refusal to engage with SWAI on […]

Supporters of the Nordic Model have blood on their hands

International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers closes out a brutal and deadly year for sex workers in Ireland. Mardi Kennedy, coordinator of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) says “This year has been devastating for Irish sex workers, marked by a murder in Limerick, raids disguised as welfare checks and an ongoing campaign […]

SWAI x A4 Sounds | SWAI Banner Making and Screenprinting Session

(ahead of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers) 6TH DEC 2023 | 4pm – 7pm | A4 SOUNDS GALLERY Ahead of International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland are holding a banner-making and screenprinting event in A4 Sounds. This year we are organising this event to […]

Press Release: Threats of murder to sex workers have been normalised

This week a phishing scam from someone pretending to be a major advertising site contacted non-national sex workers who are currently advertising. Later in the week, these texts escalated into extreme threats of violence, including threats of murder. Separately a man with an Irish accent has been calling sex workers, harassing them with threats of […]

Minister’s refusal to meet is a slap in the face of a community already hurt

The Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland (SWAI) is deeply disappointed and frustrated with the Minister for Justice’s refusal to meet with them to discuss Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) 2017 report. Linda Kavanagh, spokesperson for SWAI says “Sex workers are the primary stakeholders in this review. SWAI’s role in Irish society is […]

Review of law needs to be scrapped and started again

Today the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) learned that the long overdue review of the sex work laws in Ireland has hit another stumbling block, as the independent reviewer heading up the report has stepped back. Linda Kavanagh, comms manager of SWAI said “ As usual, there was no contact made with SWAI and other […]

Sex Worker Awareness Training

The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) are delighted to announce our new Sex Worker Awareness Training, available in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Developed by sex workers, this training will enhance participants’ knowledge including: This training is appropriate for organisations and groups either working with sex workers or those who are wanting to […]

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