Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info. But since a controversial law banning payment for sex was introduced in Northern Ireland in things are even more dangerous, according to industry insiders. Speaking out ahead of International Sex Workers' Rights Day on Sunday, Catriona - an alias used by the Dublin-based sex worker - said client behaviour has completely changed since the law put them at risk of prosecution.
Opposition to the law, introduced in Northern Ireland by the Assembly after a motion brought by DUP peer Lord Maurice Morrow, has been strong from within the sex work community, and last year a case was due to be heard at the High Court challenging its validity.
Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where the measure exists and sex worker Laura Lee claimed it breached her human right to privacy and freedom from discrimination. The findings are expected to be completed by the summer but if the political impasse continues until then, there will be no one to present them to. Solicitor Ciaran Moynagh, who represented Ms Lee in her legal challenge, said he hoped the review would make an impact.
They were withholding their names, their numbers and creating a riskier system and heading towards a perfect storm for these men and women. Catriona agrees. Before the law came in, these things would have been red flags.
You would wonder why do they want me to go to them, why do they want me on my own? Based in Dublin, she travels widely for work spending much of her time in Belfast as well as other cities across the UK and Ireland. People go to different places and spend a few days or a week or two.
