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July 17, 2005
Calls for probe into child prostitution
A CHILDREN’S rights group has called for an immediate investigation into child protection standards following revelations of organised child prostitution in Ireland.
An RTE Prime Time programme on male prostitution in Dublin, broadcast on Thursday, followed one social worker who ran a male prostitution agency in the Capital. Some of his employees began working for him at the age of 16.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland programme yesterday, Paul Gilligan, chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), said the Prime Time expose was one of the worst cases of organised child abuse he had ever come across and he was extremely concerned.
“To come across organised child prostitution in Ireland is unusual, it usually tends to be ad-hoc and it may be vulnerable kids who first get involved because they want a new pair of jeans or runners,” Mr Gilligan said.
“There’s now serious evidence that a teenager has been involved,” he added.
Mr Gilligan called for a child protection investigation, led by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
“There has to be some investigation into this. Nothing could come of it, but then again, it could have massive implications.”
“One in 20 adults in Ireland are raped as children. This means that 2.7% of all young boys and 5.6% of all young girls have been raped,” he added.
The Prime Time report indicated many more male prostitutes are moving business off the streets and into hotel rooms.
The increased use of the internet and mobile phones affords prostitution a certain anonymity.
The programme followed social welfare worker, Eugene Leech, who ran a male prostitution agency in Dublin.
One employee, who was referred to as ‘Mike’, will sit his Leaving Certificate this year. ‘Mike’ explained to an undercover reporter that he makes much more money as a prostitute than he would working in a bar. He added that he can see up to three clients in one night.
Mr Leech, who works as a clerical officer, has since been suspended from the Dublin social welfare office.
Mr Gilligan added that if one child is involved in such organised prostitution, it is likely that more children are also involved.
“There needs to be a change in legislation. We currently have no legislation in this country specific to child sexual abuse,” he said.
“The HSE in particular needs to be more pro-active in investigating child sexual abuse,” he added.
Last week, Geraldine Rowley, director of Ruhama, an organisation which works with women involved in prostitution, said the sex industry in Ireland is thriving.
“A lot of people are not aware of the problem. Prostitution has become much more invisible,” she said.
Under current Irish legislation, both the prostitute and the client are committing a crime.
Posted by Nealus at July 17, 2005 09:36 PM
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