What struck me was not the image or the messaging but rather the fact that the Turn Off the Red Light campaign has now been running for roughly 18 months. Although this is a relatively short period of time in the world of campaigning, most issue based campaigns face some form of opposition. Whether that be proactively by vested interests (such as polluting sectors opposing genuine action on climate change) or by reactive/inactive decision makers (overawed by the scale of the problem, eg: the eradication of global hunger).
But what the TORL campaign is calling for is action to address the fact that buying sex is not illegal in Ireland (unless the seller has been trafficked and the buyer is conscientious enough to have asked). So an end to prostitution and sex trafficking.
That leaves me wondering:
- Who would oppose sanctions against the buyers of sex?
- Who could (or would) argue that prostitution and trafficking are not an exploitation of women and therefore not a matter that requires action?
- Who believes the numbers of buyers wouldn't dramatically reduce if their role was criminalized?
- What is the delay in the production of legislation?
I haven't managed to find answers for any of the above but if you'd like to learn more about the issue, take a look at the TORL's latest submission to government here.
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