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Ireland: Cabinet approves law to criminalize purchase of sex

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europe_sex_industry_0224On 25 November, the Irish Cabinet agreed to proceed with legislation to criminalize the purchase of sex. The new sexual offences legislation will also strengthen laws on grooming, child pornography and harassment.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill was due to be published this week.

On the age of consent issue, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald abandoned moves by her predecessor Alan Shatter to lower the age of sexual consent from 17 to 16.

Fitzgerald brought a memo to Cabinet on the issue seeking approval to prepare legislation to criminalize the purchase of sexual services without criminalizing the sellers of the services on Tuesday.

Her aim is to put the burden of the legal system on those who avail of prostitution.

The detailed legislation, containing 70 sections, will include measures to broaden the definitions of some sexual offences and strengthen measures so that offences will be easier to prosecute.

The Oireachtas justice committee has previously recommended that the purchase of sex be criminalised.

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