Menu
27/01/2011
Sex Not Just 'In The City'
Prostitution is not confined to the cities - and certainly not just to Belfast - with over 60% of the police command units across Northern Ireland having reported cases involving 'street-walkers'.
Justice Minister David Ford's new research has revealed that prostitution occurs right across Northern Ireland and is not solely an issue for Belfast.
The news came in today's research paper on the women involved in prostitution and in human trafficking that the Justice Department undertook to inform its 'Strategy to Manage Women Offenders and Those Vulnerable to Offending Behaviour'.
A number of key findings are being drawn from the research paper as it identifies factors contributing to women becoming involved in prostitution, highlights the growing problem of the trafficking of women sexually exploited by criminal gangs in the sex industry, and identifies best practice in dealing with these issues.
The study even identified 17 victims of human trafficking forced into prostitution.
The paper said that 18 of the 29 police areas in Northern Ireland had reported incidents of prostitution over a six-month period.
In 2009/10 the PSNI identified 25 potential victims of human trafficking - with 17 who had been subject to sexual exploitation - by being forced into selling their bodies.
However, prosecutions and convictions for prostitution related offences are low due to the covert nature of prostitution.
David Ford said: "This is a valuable piece of research which for the first time catalogues the extent of prostitution and human trafficking across Northern Ireland.
"It puts the scale of the challenge in context and while it is clear that the size of the problem in Northern Ireland is not as great as in other jurisdictions, this research allows us to look from an informed position at these issues.
"While there are a number of organisations, both statutory and voluntary, running a range of projects and initiatives that support women involved in prostitution, more must be done.
"As part of my agenda to reshape the justice system, I want to work in partnership with others to develop new thinking on how we can help bring people out of prostitution, support the victims of sexual exploitation and bring human traffickers to justice," he said, on Thursday.
(BMcC/GK)
Justice Minister David Ford's new research has revealed that prostitution occurs right across Northern Ireland and is not solely an issue for Belfast.
The news came in today's research paper on the women involved in prostitution and in human trafficking that the Justice Department undertook to inform its 'Strategy to Manage Women Offenders and Those Vulnerable to Offending Behaviour'.
A number of key findings are being drawn from the research paper as it identifies factors contributing to women becoming involved in prostitution, highlights the growing problem of the trafficking of women sexually exploited by criminal gangs in the sex industry, and identifies best practice in dealing with these issues.
The study even identified 17 victims of human trafficking forced into prostitution.
The paper said that 18 of the 29 police areas in Northern Ireland had reported incidents of prostitution over a six-month period.
In 2009/10 the PSNI identified 25 potential victims of human trafficking - with 17 who had been subject to sexual exploitation - by being forced into selling their bodies.
However, prosecutions and convictions for prostitution related offences are low due to the covert nature of prostitution.
David Ford said: "This is a valuable piece of research which for the first time catalogues the extent of prostitution and human trafficking across Northern Ireland.
"It puts the scale of the challenge in context and while it is clear that the size of the problem in Northern Ireland is not as great as in other jurisdictions, this research allows us to look from an informed position at these issues.
"While there are a number of organisations, both statutory and voluntary, running a range of projects and initiatives that support women involved in prostitution, more must be done.
"As part of my agenda to reshape the justice system, I want to work in partnership with others to develop new thinking on how we can help bring people out of prostitution, support the victims of sexual exploitation and bring human traffickers to justice," he said, on Thursday.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 July 2022
Martin Heaney Jailed For Five Years
A 59-year-old man has been jailed for five years for a range of offences including human trafficking, controlling prostitution, and voyeurism. At Laganside Crown Court today, Wednesday 20 July, Martin Heaney was sentenced to five years imprisonment. A Sex Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO) was also issued and will be in place for 7 years.
Martin Heaney Jailed For Five Years
A 59-year-old man has been jailed for five years for a range of offences including human trafficking, controlling prostitution, and voyeurism. At Laganside Crown Court today, Wednesday 20 July, Martin Heaney was sentenced to five years imprisonment. A Sex Trafficking Prevention Order (STPO) was also issued and will be in place for 7 years.
18 May 2017
Two Charged In Connection With Human Trafficking
Two people have been charged after a 29-year-old woman was rescued by the PSNI's Human Trafficking Unit in Co Tyrone. Officers carried out searches after concerns were raised about a woman's safety in Dungannon. A 32-year-old man has been charged with rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and kidnapping.
Two Charged In Connection With Human Trafficking
Two people have been charged after a 29-year-old woman was rescued by the PSNI's Human Trafficking Unit in Co Tyrone. Officers carried out searches after concerns were raised about a woman's safety in Dungannon. A 32-year-old man has been charged with rape, human trafficking, controlling prostitution and kidnapping.
29 June 2016
Pair Jailed After Admitting Human Trafficking And Prostitution Offences
A man and woman from Romania have been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting human trafficking and prostitution offences. Ionut Ille, aged 34, and Ancuta Schwarz, aged 30, were detained three years ago as part of a joint investigation with Swedish police. Ille was arrested in Romania and Schwarz was arrested in Belfast.
Pair Jailed After Admitting Human Trafficking And Prostitution Offences
A man and woman from Romania have been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting human trafficking and prostitution offences. Ionut Ille, aged 34, and Ancuta Schwarz, aged 30, were detained three years ago as part of a joint investigation with Swedish police. Ille was arrested in Romania and Schwarz was arrested in Belfast.
04 December 2019
Pair Arrested For Controlling Prostitution
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of a range of human trafficking offences in Ballymena, Co Antrim. The pair were detained on Tuesday 03 December after detectives from the PSNI's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit searched properties in Belfast and Ballymena.
Pair Arrested For Controlling Prostitution
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of a range of human trafficking offences in Ballymena, Co Antrim. The pair were detained on Tuesday 03 December after detectives from the PSNI's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit searched properties in Belfast and Ballymena.
30 September 2019
Arrests Made In Human Trafficking Operation
A man has been arrested in Belfast on suspicion of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution, brothel keeping and money laundering. The 57-year-old was arrested by detectives in PSNI's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit during a search operation. A number of electronic devices were seized.
Arrests Made In Human Trafficking Operation
A man has been arrested in Belfast on suspicion of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, controlling prostitution, brothel keeping and money laundering. The 57-year-old was arrested by detectives in PSNI's Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Unit during a search operation. A number of electronic devices were seized.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
