The aim of the Turn Off the Red Light (TORL) Campaign was to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland. The campaign was run by an alliance of over 70 civil society organisations, unions, non-governmental organisations and individuals.  Ruhama is a key member of this group. 



The Turn off the Red Light (TORL) Campaign successfully advocated for the introduction of new legislation in Ireland to address prostitution and trafficking.  It advocated for the introduction of legislation – the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017 – that criminalised the purchase of sexual acts, in addition to increasing penalties for pimping and procuring. In recognition of the vulnerability of those exploited in prostitution, the campaign was also successful in securing the decriminalisation of prostituted persons as part of the same legislation.  TORL continues to advocate for the full and effective implementation of the 2017 Act in Ireland, particularly to ensure that it has the intended normative effect of deterring those who purchase sex, in turn shrinking the market for this seriously harmful trade, thereby reducing the number of vulnerable women and girls exploited within it.

 

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