Latest News

SWAI Statement on Closing

We are heartbroken to announce that the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) is closing our doors after over 16 years, due to a lack of funding. Since our foundation in 2009, we have brought an alternative voice to the dominant narrative about sex work in Ireland. A voice that has centred the wants and needs […]

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Farewell and best wishes to Linda

We are sad to say goodbye to our Communications and Advocacy manager, Linda Kavanagh, who has been with SWAI for 7 years.  During her time with SWAI, she has spoken up for sex workers’ rights by speaking to the media, commenting on news items, promoting attendance at our events, shaping the visual identity of SWAI, […]

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Ruth Coppinger TD speaking at the Red Umbrella Film Festival

Press release: Decriminalisation of sex work bill launched by TD Ruth Coppinger

The bill was co-created by Red Umbrella Éireann, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland and the Street Workers Collective. These organisations are made up of sex workers and activists who are drawing on lived experience and mountains of evidence to bring forward a piece of legislation to fully decriminalise sex work and introduce regulations that centre […]

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Migrant Sex Workers & Housing in Ireland

Press release: Migrant sex workers reveal the discrimination they face in new research by SWAI

New ground-breaking research by the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland reveals the precarity and marginalisation that migrant sex workers experience when trying to access housing.  Almi Modjeska, coordinator of SWAI said “Voices of sex workers in Ireland are constantly omitted and excluded from conversations leading to laws and policies directly affecting them. This constant omission guided […]

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EGM Announcement and statement on pending closure

The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) is in immediate danger of closing due to lack of funding. SWAI is running on fumes at the moment. Thanks to your support and the generous donors to our crowdfund, we have been able to continue operating until now. However, we have not confirmed any sustainable core funding for […]

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Actually listen to sex workers written in marker on canvas

Press release: No evidence that sex workers were listened to

“The review of the law governing sex work in Ireland is not worth the paper it’s written on”, says Linda Kavanagh, spokesperson of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland.  Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) 2017 was due to be reviewed in 2020 but due to myriad delays, it was not released until yesterday. […]

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28 Days for SWAI Donate to the '28 Days for SWAI' Fundraising Challenge

Can you help SWAI to continue our vital work?

We’re going to say it to you straight. We want to be transparent. SWAI is going to run out of money by April of this year.  Despite great efforts, SWAI has no secured or expected income to fund our core work due to being viewed as too radical for publicly critiquing the Nordic Model, government, […]

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Press release in speech bubble

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 […]

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Are you aware that the law is currently being reviewed?

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 […]

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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 […]

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Joint Press Release

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 […]

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Candidate checklist 2024

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 […]

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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 […]

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