Sex workers are being offered food vouchers worth up to €30 to combat the cost of living crisis.
The Sex Workers Alliance has rolled out the scheme in order to provide discretionary support to those in need. Linda Kavanagh, the group's communication manager, said the small gesture is meant to help marginalised people who already face a higher risk of eviction.
Linda explained that landlords often evict sex workers upon learning of the nature of their work. Equally, landlords have resorted to charging higher rents if they are aware that sex work is taking place on their property.
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She told Dublin Live: "With the living and the housing crisis rumbling on, people are turning to sex work to make ends meet. We’re just doing our little bit to get resources into the hands of sex workers. It won’t pay the rent but it might put hot food on the table."
She also pointed out that while economic pressures force marginalised people into the sector, current legislation fails to give sex workers adequate protection in Ireland. Working in the sector itself is not an offence but it remains illegal to buy sex under Irish law.
The Sex Workers Alliance is over a decade old and fights for better policies on sex work in Ireland. The organisation has called for the full decriminalisation of sex work and more safeguarding of those in the industry.
The violent death of a sex worker, aged in her 20s, in Limerick last month highlights the continued dangers facing the community. The tragedy should force government to reassess current policies towards sex work, Linda argues.
She said: "We need policy makers and politicians to re-examine their own biases and look past the dominant narrative in Ireland. When sex workers say they need a change in the law, they do- the government is absolutely failing them and pushing them away from organisations that help them."
The cost of living vouchers are available to any sex workers operating in Ireland. People can avail of the confidential initiative by contacting the Sex Workers Alliance through WhatsApp at 085 824 9305.
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