Gardaí systems to begin logging sex purchase offences separately

Gardaí computer systems will begin logging the purchase of sexual services as a separate incident category this week, a year after the commencement of Ireland’s sex buyer ban.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan was quizzed in the Seanad yesterday on access to data on the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017.

Senator Ivana Bacik told the Seanad that politicians and the public “do not have access to relevant data to ascertain how the Garda is enforcing the offence of purchase of sexual services”.

Her intervention came on the first anniversary of the legislation - which resembles similar legislation in Northern Ireland - being commenced.

Mr Flanagan said: “A new incident category on PULSE, titled ‘Purchase of Sex’ will capture the offence of the purchase of sexual services. This is part of PULSE Release R7.3 and is scheduled to be live on PULSE by 30 March 2018.

“It will provide a facility to capture all incidents relating to the purchase of sexual services. The Garda national protective services bureau is monitoring the impact of the offences and is developing initiatives to ensure adequate and proper enforcement.”

The minister also highlighted that section 27 of the 2017 Act “specifies that a report will be prepared after three years on the number of arrests during the initial three-year period in respect of the new offences”, as well as an assessment of the law’s impact on sex workers.