The health impacts of prostitution on women in the Irish sex trade
This research which was commissioned and funded by the (opens in a new window)HSE’s National Social Inclusion Office was conducted as part of the UCD Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (SERP)
Research aims and objectives
The overall aim of this study is to provide empirical data on the impact of prostitution on women’s physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health. The research has been devised to support the Women’s Health Service (HSE) in documenting the presenting issues of their service users in terms of general health problems, sexual and reproductive health issues and their short and long-term psychological support needs. Specifically, this study is designed to:
- Provide a profile of women in prostitution presenting to the Women’s Health Service
- Investigate the factors and circumstances which draw women into prostitution in the first instance
- Explore women’s experiences within the Irish sex trade
- Document the impact of prostitution on women’s physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health and wellbeing
- Document the risks and violence women have experienced within the Irish sex trade
- Explore women’s intentions to exit prostitution and the challenges they face in doing so
- Contribute to the body of academic evidence in an under-researched area in Ireland, which can also directly inform policy and practice, as well as pointing the way for future research.