On June 1, 2015, the Northern Ireland Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Further Provisions and Support for Victims) Act came into force, which means that those, who purchase a sexual service, now are committing a crime (s. 15) and can be arrested. It also means that the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety must prepare and publish a strategy for the provision of assistance and support services for those who wish to leave prostitution (s. 19).
We want to thank everyone who has worked so tirelessly to make this happen, including our chairperson, Gunilla Ekberg, who has acted as an expert and testified to the Northern Ireland Justice Committee for the benefit of the law during the past three years.
The legislation can be found via this link:
INSTITUTE FOR FEMINISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS 