Legislation aimed at tackling the “appalling practice” of seeking sex in lieu of rent has been welcomed by an Irish charity who support women impacted by sexual exploitation.
Ruhama told The Irish Catholic that the legislation being drafted was “long awaited”, and the issue has been exacerbated by the housing crisis.
“These appalling practices impact many vulnerable women and bring fear and coercion into a place where they should feel safest – their home,” a spokeswomen said.
She added that it “will have an immediate impact on the many vulnerable people that are at a significant disadvantage in the current housing crisis”.
The legislation, which is a cross-party goal, introduces two specific criminal offences around ‘sex for rent’ – offering accommodation in exchange for sex and the advertising of accommodation in exchange for sex.
The provisions encompass both rental agreements between landlords and tenants, and ‘rent-a-room’ situations. It is the offer or advertisement that is being criminalised – there is no requirement to prove that sexual activity occurred. The proposed penalty for these offences is a Class A fine of up to €5,000.
