A report launched today by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) says one in 20 students are being exposed to proposals of rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex, while one in seven are being offered accommodation where they are expected to sleep in the same bed as a stranger.

The National Women’s Council (NWC) has repeatedly called for new legislation to criminalise exploitative sex-for-rent arrangements.

Representatives from housing and tenant advocacy organisation Threshold and the NWC addressed the report’s launch event at Leinster House today.

Laura Harmon, executive director of ICOS said: “Our new research exposes the alarming realities that international students in Ireland are struggling with to find safe, affordable and minimum-standard accommodation.

“The extent of financial strain and overcrowding is deeply concerning. Urgent action is needed to address these issues, in particular sex-for-rent exploitation, to ensure that Ireland remains a welcoming and supportive destination for international students.”

Ana Valdez, an English language student from Mexico living and studying in Dublin, said: “Decent housing is supposed to be a human right, and although Ireland is a beautiful country with great opportunities, the housing crisis has turned the country into a really bad and impossible experience for many people, resulting in overcrowding, poor mental health, sky-high costs, abuse by landlords and even sexual harassment.”

More than six in 10 (61 per cent) respondents who said they were working reported that half of their monthly salary goes towards paying their rent; one in five respondents who worked said that they spend 70 per cent of their income on paying rent.

John-Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold, said: “We in Threshold are struck by over 60 per cent of respondents reporting that half their salary is used to pay rent, leaving less for household essentials, never mind any luxuries or any prospect for saving for the future.

“With over half of respondents agreeing that their mental health has been impacted as a result of the housing crisis, the survey reminds us of the urgent need for more affordable rental housing options and greater tenancy protections — not less.”

Ivanna Youtchak, violence against women co-ordinator at the National Women’s Council, said: “ICOS’ new housing report puts a spotlight on the impact of the housing crisis on international students. In particular, we welcome the focus on sex-for-rent exploitation which particularly affects women who are international students.

“Sex-for-rent exploitation is damaging, degrading, and dehumanising for women. In its extreme form, it forces women to make a choice between homelessness and sexual exploitation.

“It primarily affects women who are renting a room in a house, as opposed to own-door accommodation, so they enter a situation of living with their predator. These renters do not have the protections granted to other tenants.”