Ireland’s Online Sex Trade Exposed Shocking Abuse of Women

Concerns about the growing control and exploitation of women and girls through Ireland’s online sex trade have been voiced by the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute (SERP). Recent research by SERP revealed alarming findings following a four-week period of monitoring online advertisements of prostitution in August and September. 

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Alarming Statistics and Vulnerabilities

On average, 878 profiles were advertised daily, with a staggering 99% of these profiles featuring women. Approximately one-fifth of the ladies who were advertised were in the age range of 18 to 25. 

A troubling detail noted in the study was that fewer than 3% of the profiles represented Irish nationals. This finding aligns with previous research showing that the majority of women involved in prostitution in Ireland’s online sex trade are migrants. Many of these women have limited English skills when they first arrive, making them vulnerable to exploitation. 

Five nationalities account for half of all the profiles seen, with Brazilians making up one-quarter of the total. Out of the 28 globally recognized signs of trafficking and sexual exploitation found in the profiles on the most popular websites used by sex purchasers in Ireland, SERP detected 19 of them. 

Profile Distribution Across Ireland

The highest number of profiles was recorded in Dublin, with an average of 364 daily. Cork had 76 profiles, Belfast 51, Limerick 43, and Kildare 30 profiles on average. Galway, Westmeath, Louth, and Waterford were also among the top locations where women were advertised, indicating a widespread issue throughout Ireland.

Disturbingly, 14% of these profiles offered services at what were considered “low” prices. Some young women were advertised as providing 30-minute “full services” for as low as €50 to €60. The majority of these low-price profiles were associated with young women from Asia and Eastern Europe, reflecting a pattern of economic vulnerability and high risk of exploitation. 

Organised Exploitation Revealed

The presence of similar profile photos and identical text across different profiles suggests that many of these women are being controlled by organised gangs. Such evidence indicates systematic exploitation, where multiple women are advertised under the control of the same criminal entities. 

SERP Director Ruth Breslin emphasised that the findings warrant immediate attention from both policymakers and law enforcement agencies. She warned that the indicators are clear and that authorities need to step up efforts to combat these crimes within Ireland’s online sex trade. 

The Institute suggests pursuing businesses that own and run websites used for prostitution through a tiered legal and enforcement approach. These companies must be held accountable for advertising the sale of trafficked and controlled women and profiting from these illegal activities. 

Call for Stronger Enforcement Measures

In an effort to impede the revenue generated by these websites, SERP has demanded that the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) and its divisional units bolster their legal enforcement efforts. Increasing An Garda Síochána’s authority and capabilities to effectively target sex buyers and the organised crime groups operating these illegal enterprises is another proposal included in the report.

The Institute is advocating for all women involved in prostitution to have access to specialist services and support to help them exit the trade. Organisations such as Ruhama, which provide aid to women involved in prostitution, should be equipped to support them in rebuilding their lives. 

The report did not just focus on traditional websites but also expressed concern over emerging platforms like Telegram, which traffickers may turn to as enforcement tightens on existing sites.

Disturbing Trends in Advertising

There were references to “very young” women in several profiles. Terms such as “young,” “small,” “sweet,” “cute,” and “playful” were used to describe these women, hinting at a preference for youthful features that could attract specific buyers. 

In some cases, the women were dressed or posed in childlike ways—wearing schoolgirl uniforms, holding lollipops, and surrounded by teddy bears. There were even signs of photoshopped images to exaggerate youthfulness, such as enlarging the eyes and altering facial features. 

The use of such tactics suggests a sinister effort to create the appearance of extreme youth, potentially targeting clients looking for illegal and unethical interactions with minors. 

Health Risks and Unsafe Practices

The findings also point to the offering of risky and potentially harmful sexual practices. Some profiles listed 15 or more different sex acts, increasing the likelihood of physical harm, sexually transmitted infections, and psychological trauma for the women involved. 

These practices highlight the extreme power imbalance between the women and their controllers, as well as the disregard for the women’s safety and well-being. The SERP Institute stressed that immediate legal and enforcement responses are needed to tackle the growing online trade. 

One suggestion is to increase penalties for those purchasing sex, as well as to pursue the organised crime gangs profiting from the exploitation of these women. The Institute called for dedicated resources to monitor and track online advertisements, providing a clearer picture of the issue and identifying high-risk profiles that could indicate trafficking. 

A Call to Action

Furthermore, greater coordination between law enforcement and support services like Ruhama is essential to ensure that women have a pathway out of prostitution and into safer environments. SERP’s report sends a stark warning to policymakers: failure to act could result in further entrenchment of organised crime in Ireland’s online sex trade. 

The current lax enforcement and legal loopholes allow traffickers and pimps to operate with near impunity. Director Ruth Breslin summed up the urgency, stating, “Pimps, traffickers, and sex buyers are clearly using these websites to facilitate their crimes and seem relatively free to do so.”

Addressing these findings requires a multi-pronged approach that not only punishes those involved in the exploitation but also supports the victims in rebuilding their lives. The Institute has called on lawmakers and law enforcement agencies to rise to the challenge and develop a comprehensive response to Ireland’s online sex trade.