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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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Decrim for SAfety

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 […]

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Outdoor Sex Work and COVID-19 resource

Back in July, the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) held a webinar to launch a new harm reduction resource we developed in collaboration with GOSHH in Limerick and Sexual Health Centre in Cork. The information card provides practical advice for anyone selling or trading sex on the street or outdoors during the pandemic and was created […]

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Images from vigil 2019

Structural and actual violence against sex workers did not end under COVID

December 17th marks International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers. Kate McGrew, director of Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) says “This year the review of the sex work laws has begun and we worked to ensure that sex worker’s voices were heard in the policy decisions that govern our lives. These laws have kept […]

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SWAI statement on leaked nudes 

Consent is vital for any sexual relationship, whether online or in-person, whether transactional or not. The leaking and distribution of sexual images which have been reported recently breaches the consent and trust of those involved.   Misogyny, rape culture and consent are at the heart of this, issues sex workers are all too familiar with. We […]

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