The Civil Society Coalition for the Execution of Sex for Rent Legislation– which incudes the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS)– praised the development of Crook Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which will bring in a brand-new offense making it prohibited to advertise and offer lodging in exchange for sex.The practice disproportionately impacts worldwide trainees and other groups vulnerable to housing insecurity.
The legislation is currently working its method through your houses of the Oireachtas after a round of modifications. The Coalition noted that, while its own suggested changes had not been embraced, it acknowledged the weight of protecting “this long-overdue defense” and hailed those bringing it into force.
It follows ICOS research published in 2015 that discovered as many as one in 20 international trainees in Ireland had actually been offered or seen a room for rent in exchange for sex.
Brian Hearne, policy and communications manager at ICOS stated that the Expense would “send a crucial message that exploiting somebody’s need for housing can not be tolerated and will have legal effects”.
“Acknowledging ‘sex for lease’ as a specific criminal offense is a considerable advance and reflects the reality faced by numerous renters who have been targeted because of their real estate scenario,” he stated. “We require to make sure the legislation is backed by efficient enforcement, clear reporting pathways and assistance for those affected, so that its protections are understood in practice.”
Recognising’ sex for rent’as a specific criminal offence is a considerable advance and reflects the truth dealt with by many renters who have actually been targeted because of their real estate scenario
Brian Hearne, ICOS
Ireland’s housing crisis is being felt acutely throughout the nation, increasing rental costs while need soars. International trainees are particularly vulnerable to risky or exploitative real estate plans due to a lack of purpose-build student accommodation, on top of needing to face an already competitive rental market.
The Coalition said it thinks that the new legislation needs to be brought in along with practical measures such as assistance for victims, training for frontline companies, security for those residing in informal rent-a-room arrangements, in addition to “robust action” cracking down on exploitative adverts appearing on online platforms.
“The success of this legislation will likewise depend on reliable application, public awareness, and ensuring that victims have the ability to access the assistances and securities they require,” it stated. “Continued collaboration throughout justice, real estate and online safety will be important to make sure the law accomplishes its designated purpose.”
National Women’s Council executive director Corrinne Hasson observed that the Irish housing crisis alongside increasing violence versus ladies had actually produced “the best conditions” for exploitative rental situations.
“So this legislation is really important for ladies, especially those in precarious real estate,” she stated. “We hope that, with correct enforcement, reporting pathways, and assistance, it will go a long way to securing ladies from sex for rent exploitation.’
Barbara Condon, CEO of Ruhama, a Dublin-based charity that provides nationwide support to females affected by prostitution and other kinds of business sexual exploitation stated: ‘We need to keep the momentum going and offer defense and pathways to security for women already living in a circumstance of sex for lease exploitation. For these their home– the location they need to feel safest– is a hostile and hazardous environment and this can’t be endured in a country that aims towards no tolerance to domestic sexual and gender-based violence.’
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