'It needs to stop now': Cork senator seeks assurances on sex for rent ban

Cork Labour Party senator Laura Harmon has called on justice minister Jim O’Callaghan to keep his word and enact legislation to criminalise the practice of offering rooms to rent in exchange for sex.

Speaking in advance of the National Women’s Council conference on housing precarity, homelessness, and violence against women and girls, Ms Harmon said Mr O’Callaghan committed to bringing legislation to Cabinet in May that would tackle sex for rent in response to legislation published by the Labour Party to end this practice.

Ms Harmon said: “Four months on, I am urging the minister to be true to his word and move now to deliver real protections for vulnerable renters — particularly for women at risk of homelessness.”

Ms Harmon said she has sought a meeting with Mr O’Callaghan on this matter.

“The worsening housing crisis is particularly impacting the most vulnerable in our communities,” she said.

“Unfortunately, I’m aware that ads still exist online where people are clearly using the housing crisis to prey on vulnerable people living in insecure housing. It needs to stop now.

“A report from the National Women’s Council last year shone a stark light on just how prevalent this is. Marginalised women, particularly those already at risk of homelessness, are being targeted by men who offer housing in return for sex. This is happening in modern Ireland — and it is a national disgrace.”