They say that it’s gone on for far too long and they’re going to make sure it stops for good.
The government has stated that it intends to enact a new law that would outlaw the practice of sex-for-rent, reports The Mirror.
The action was taken in response to a large number of frightened tenants’ complaints to the gardai and female protection advocacy groups.
Some have reportedly requested for sexual favours in lieu of a rent increase, while other sinister landlords have supposedly demanded sex in order to extend leases. Politicians and gardai agree that the practice is becoming increasingly commonplace across the country, reports The Mirror.
The government will make it illegal to sell or advertise for sex in exchange for rent, according to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
“As minister, combating the evil of sexual, gender-based, and domestic violence will be a major priority for me,” he stated, reports The Mirror.
Ivana Bacik, the head of the Labour Party, asked the minister about the matter in parliament and called for the creation of a new crime that would outlaw sex for hire.
“Any behaviour from accommodation providers seeking to use their position to prey on vulnerable people is completely unacceptable. The Government is seeking to address this exploitative behaviour by making the offering or advertising of accommodation for sex in lieu of rent a specific criminal offence. Work is ongoing between my department and the office of the Attorney General on a suitable provision to address this,” reports The Mirror.
According to a National Women’s Council study released last summer, sex for hire was occurring nationwide. It discovered that women facing severe housing challenges were being forced to choose between homelessness and sexual exploitation.
The National Women’s Council suggested criminalising and prosecuting landlords who have sex for rent, reports The Mirror.
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