Statement: Senator Bacik welcomes Minister's Commitment to Tackling Prostitution and Domestic Violence

BACIK WELCOMES JUSTICE MINISTER'S COMMITMENT TO TACKLING PROSTITUTION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Senator Ivana Bacik,

Labour Senator for Dublin University,

Wednesday 7th March 2012

Speaking today at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, Senator Ivana Bacik welcomedthe announcement by the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter that he is workingtowards the publication of a reformed and consolidated domestic violencebill, and that he will shortly be publishing a discussion paper on thepotential reform of Irish law on prostitution.

Senator Bacik said:

“As tomorrow is International Women's Day, I particularly welcome two announcements made today by theMinister for Justice at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee onJustice. First, the Minister announced that he will very shortly be publishinga discussion paper reviewing options for reform of the law on prostitution.In particular, I welcome the fact that the paper will examine the potentialfor incorporation into Irish legislation of the Swedish law whereby onlythe purchase but not the sale of sex is criminalised.”

Senator Bacik also said:

“I further welcome the announcementby the Minister that he will be bringing forward reformed and consolidatedlegislation on domestic violence. I am very pleased to hear that work iscommencing on this legislation and that it will be published early in 2013.This law is long overdue given the piecemeal nature of amendments to theexisting Domestic Violence Act.”

ENDS