Latest News

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

Candlelight Vigil: End Violence Against Sex Workers

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 […]

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

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 […]

We are looking for a Coordinator!

We are looking for a Coordinator! Updated: 2nd December SWAI has an exciting new opportunity for a highly motivated, experienced person to join our team. The role of Coordinator is to promote the health, safety, participation and dignity of all female, male, cis and trans sex workers in Ireland.   SWAI is Ireland’s only frontline […]

Ireland is failing trafficking victims by criminalising sex work

Today, 30th July is World Day Against Trafficking in Person. Ireland continues to languish in the Tier 2 Watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons Report, as we fail to tackle the root causes of trafficking while pursuing failed strategies such as criminalising aspects of sex work. In 2017 Ireland introduced client criminalisation, increased penalties for […]

Pandemic of violence against sex workers brought about by change in law has not ended

Yesterday a man who attacked and robbed two sex workers working together for safety was jailed for 10 years.  Aoife Bloom, board member of SWAI says “The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) welcomes the news that a man who violently attacked two members of our community was jailed for 10 years. We commend the bravery […]

Ask your Candidate By-Election 2021

What do you think about our sex work laws?  Are you aware of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI), the only front-line, sex worker-led organisation in Ireland? Are you aware that when sex workers must work alone to work legally? 100% of sex workers SWAI speaks to want the option to work with a friend. […]

Press release: Decriminalisation of sex work is the first step to helping trafficking victims

For the second year in a row Ireland languishes in the Tier 2 Watchlist of the Trafficking in Persons report. Ireland has still not persecuted anyone for trafficking in 7 years and this year marks the fewest trafficking victims identified since 2013.  Aoife Bloom, sex worker and spokesperson for the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) […]

SWAI Director steps down to focus on artistic career

Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) has announced that its Director, Kate McGrew, is departing having worked with the organisation for a period of six years. During this period SWAI developed into a strong representative body for the rights of sex workers and it also developed as a  service provision organisation. SWAI said that “Kate has […]

Press release: Expunging Of Criminal Records for “Sale of Sex” Cautiously Welcomed

Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) Welcomes Minister McEntee’s Initiativeto Expunge 607 Convictions for the Sale of Sex but says it does not go far enough.  The Criminal Law Sexual Offenses Act 2017 criminalised the purchase of sex and nearly tripled penalties for sex workers working in pairs or groups. In the late stages of the […]

Press Release: For Woman Charged with Facilitation of Prostitution, Sex Workers Alliance Ireland Demands Court Obey Deportation Moratorium

Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) demands that the courts obey the blanket ban on deportations reinstated by the Taoiseach since Level 5 Covid restrictions began. A 32-year-old Polish native with an 11-month old son was handed down a suspended sentence yesterday in Waterford court for facilitating prostitution. She was given the choice of a 1 […]