We told you this would happen says Sex Workers Alliance Ireland, about the murder of a sex worker in Limerick
The murder of a sex worker is the grim but obvious result of a law that disregards the voices and safety of sex workers. Linda Kavanagh, communications manager of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland says “When this law was being debated in 2015 and 2016 sex workers and allies warned that the law would increase […]
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Sex workers failed by law AGAIN
When will the state own up to the fact that the law has failed and decriminalise sex work in Ireland? Mardi Kennedy, coordinator of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) commented on today’s guilty verdict of a man who assaulted two migrant sex workers in 2020 “The case today shows that the current sex work […]
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International Sex Workers Rights Day
Mardi, our coordinator writes about her experience in India where she met the founders of International Sex Workers’ Rights day. The Durbar Mahila Samawaya Committee (DMSC) founded the day in 2021. “When I visited DMSC in Kolkata, India, I was awestruck and inspired by the successful outcomes of community organising by sex workers. I was […]
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Press release: Irish government is complicit in violence against sex workers
“Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, and since we marked this day last year there has been a notable shift in attitudes against sex workers in Ireland,” says Mardi Kennedy, coordinator of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI). “The tide is turning against sex workers, and it is alarming to see”, […]
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Reclaim the Night Speech 2022
Thank you for inviting Sex Workers Alliance Ireland to speak. A special hello to the sex workers amongst us tonight. When was the last time you heard someone respectfully use the words “sex worker” in your workplace? Have you ever heard a joke made at a sex worker’s expense? Have you ever seen a movie […]
Read More Ominous texts from Gardaí scare sex workers during Days of activism against gender-based violence
Risk of eviction, mass surveillance and threats to our livelihood are just some of the issues that sex workers have faced just days into the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. “We have been inundated with calls and messages from sex workers who have received texts from the Gardaí. These texts have terrorised a […]
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SWAI Research Engagement Policy
SWAI is frequently contacted by academics, organisations, and individual researchers within and outside of Ireland to support their research by identifying participants, promoting research, facilitating peer interviews, and participating in advisory panels. We are aware of the sex worker community being over-researched by non-peers without outcomes that improve sex workers’ lives. SWAI is concerned about […]
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Board announcement!
We are so pleased to announce the new SWAI board! The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland welcome Leea Berry, Leah Butler and Lianne O’Hara to our board of directors. Leea Berry is a Domina and activist taking the role of Treasurer of the Board. Her experiences of harassment and eventually eviction by the Gardaí under the […]
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Board member call out: We need you!
The Organisation: Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) advocates for the human rights and safety of sex workers on the island of Ireland. SWAI is dedicated to decriminalisation, destigmatisation, and community development through outreach, changes in policy and legislation, and increased visibility of sex work in society. SWAI is a frontline, sex worker-led and community-focused non-governmental […]
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Press release: Ireland is failing trafficking victims by persisting with a failed law
Linda Kavanagh, communications manager for the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) says “The Trafficking in Persons Report released yesterday highlights that there has been no successful labour trafficking prosecutions in Ireland in the past year. Two prosecutions in Ireland show that the Irish government is still falling short of any meaningful reduction in sex trafficking. […]
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Press release: Decriminalisation of sex work has finally happened in Europe
The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) welcomes the news that the first country in Europe has decriminalised sex work. “Belgium has shown us that decriminalisation of sex work in Europe is possible and Ireland must sit up and pay attention to the mounting evidence that criminalisation of sex work creates vulnerability and increases violence.” “Belgium […]
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State pushing people into sex work then ensuring they are not safe
Today is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers and we want to highlight how, through government policies, the state pushes people into sex work.Years of austerity, the housing crisis, lack of supports for people using drugs, Direct Provision, limits to how many hours international students can work, lack of decent employment, lack of […]
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Supporting trans people means supporting sex work decriminalisation
This Trans Day of Remembrance LGBTQI+ organisations must stand with the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland (SWAI) when we call for the full decriminalisation of sex work. Any alternative is putting the health and safety of trans people at risk. Aoife Bloom, board member of SWAI says “Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance 2021 we […]
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3rd Annual Laura Lee Sex Worker Human Rights Public Lecture
The third annual Laura Lee Sex Worker Human Rights Public Lecture will take place online on the 26th of November from 2:30 – 4pm, with a keynote address from Wendy Lyon, solicitor. The keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion with Adeline Berry and Trish Leahy. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/3rd-annual-laura-lee-sex-worker-human-rights-public-lecture-tickets-207933904907
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Statement on OnlyFans changes
The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) welcomes the news that OnlyFans will not proceed with new changes in OnlyFans announced last week which would ban sexually explicit content. This reversal is due to the sex work community rallying and ensuring that the shock and fear our community felt was heard. Aoife Bloom, board member of SWAI […]
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