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Northern Ireland criminalises the purchase of sex

Published: Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Northern Ireland Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act 2015 to criminalise the purchase of sex came into force on Monday 1 June 2015.

Northern Ireland follows Canada, Sweden, Norway and Iceland in introducing a law designed to punish the client without criminalising those involved in prostitution. Any person caught breaking the new law could face up to a year in prison and a fine of £1,000 or both. It remains an offence to keep or manage a brothel.

The Republic of Ireland is proposing to introduce similar legislation in the forthcoming Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2014 which is due to be published before summer recess. For more information check out Turn off the Red Light Campaign here.