The aim of the Turn Off the Red Light (TORL) Campaign was to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland. The campaign was run by an alliance of over 70 civil society organisations, unions, non-governmental organisations and individuals. Ruhama is a key member of this group.
The Turn off the Red Light (TORL) Campaign successfully advocated for the introduction of new legislation in Ireland to address prostitution and trafficking. It advocated for the introduction of legislation – the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017 – that criminalised the purchase of sexual acts, in addition to increasing penalties for pimping and procuring. In recognition of the vulnerability of those exploited in prostitution, the campaign was also successful in securing the decriminalisation of prostituted persons as part of the same legislation. TORL continues to advocate for the full and effective implementation of the 2017 Act in Ireland, particularly to ensure that it has the intended normative effect of deterring those who purchase sex, in turn shrinking the market for this seriously harmful trade, thereby reducing the number of vulnerable women and girls exploited within it.
SEE MORE The Turn off the Red Light (TORL) Campaign successfully advocated for the introduction of new legislation in Ireland to address prostitution and trafficking. It advocated for the introduction of legislation – the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 2017 – that criminalised the purchase of sexual acts, in addition to increasing penalties for pimping and procuring. In recognition of the vulnerability of those exploited in prostitution, the campaign was also successful in securing the decriminalisation of prostituted persons as part of the same legislation. TORL continues to advocate for the full and effective implementation of the 2017 Act in Ireland, particularly to ensure that it has the intended normative effect of deterring those who purchase sex, in turn shrinking the market for this seriously harmful trade, thereby reducing the number of vulnerable women and girls exploited within it.
Ruhama is a proud and active member of the Observatory on Violence Against Women, which is chaired by the National Women’s Council of Ireland. NWCI is the leading national representative organisation for women and women’s groups in Ireland. A non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation, founded in 1973, it seeks to achieve equality for women. Ruhama is a member organisation of the NWCI. The Observatory, which was established in 2002, is an independent network of grassroots and national organisations that come together quarterly to monitor progress on violence against women in Ireland. It’s a space for organisations to work on better policies and improved service provision. It also monitors government commitments at national and international level, providing relevant data to bodies. The Irish Observatory also links into the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) European Observatory on Violence Against Women.
SEE MORE 
SPACE is an international organisation, formed to give voice to women who have survived the abusive reality of prostitution. SPACE includes members from France, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, the US and the UK. SPACE stands for ‘Survivors of Prostitution Abuse Calling for Enlightenment’. Members call for enlightenment because before we can expect social change, prostitution must be recognised for the abuse that it is.
SPACE was first formed in Ireland, in 2012, for the purpose of changing social attitudes towards prostitution and pressing for its recognition as a sexually exploitative human rights violation. In 2013 SPACE expanded internationally, taking on representatives from all corners of the globe. All representatives have lived experiences of the sex trade, and many of them have extensive experience of frontline work in combating prostitution and offering exit services to prostituted women and girls. All of its members are outspoken public abolitionist activists, pressing for the Abolitionist (Nordic or Equality) Model of prostitution legislation in their own regions of the world. Ruhama is proud to support and work with SPACE International in elevating the voices of survivors to achieve their abolitionist goals.
SEE MORE SPACE was first formed in Ireland, in 2012, for the purpose of changing social attitudes towards prostitution and pressing for its recognition as a sexually exploitative human rights violation. In 2013 SPACE expanded internationally, taking on representatives from all corners of the globe. All representatives have lived experiences of the sex trade, and many of them have extensive experience of frontline work in combating prostitution and offering exit services to prostituted women and girls. All of its members are outspoken public abolitionist activists, pressing for the Abolitionist (Nordic or Equality) Model of prostitution legislation in their own regions of the world. Ruhama is proud to support and work with SPACE International in elevating the voices of survivors to achieve their abolitionist goals.
The Men’s Development Network is a not for profit organisation based in Waterford whose aim is to work with men towards achieving beneficial societal change and equality. A key aspect of that work is aiding men’s development in a number of areas and helping them become positive leaders in their local communities. As part of their work on the White Ribbon Campaign in Ireland and as key members of the Turn Off The Red Light group, The Men’s Development Network plays an important role in working alongside Ruhama in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation.
The organisation is an important ally in helping shape, develop and change men’s attitudes in relation to the purchase of sex and the commodification of women in prostitution, most notably via their work collaborating on the national ‘We Don’t Buy It’ Campaign.
SEE MORE 
Ruhama is part of the Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution (CAP International) , an advocacy vehicle for frontline NGOs and a global convener for change.
The fundamental objective of CAP International is to:
CAP International empowers its members in their capacity to obtain progressive legal reforms in their countries and to be heard internationally. As an active member of CAP International, Ruhama has a voting right within its General Assembly and our Policy and Communications Manager, Amanda Keane, also serves as a board member of the coalition.
SEE MORE - Advocate for the adoption and implementation of progressive legislation and international standards that amplify efforts to eliminate the sexual exploitation of women and girls
- Deliver effective protection, support and exit options to prostituted persons and victims of trafficking
- Empower frontline services and survivors of prostitution.
CAP International empowers its members in their capacity to obtain progressive legal reforms in their countries and to be heard internationally. As an active member of CAP International, Ruhama has a voting right within its General Assembly and our Policy and Communications Manager, Amanda Keane, also serves as a board member of the coalition.
CATW is one of the oldest non-governmental organisations working to end the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and girls worldwide. Through an abolitionist approach rooted in women’s rights and human rights principles, they advocate for strong laws and policies, work to raise public awareness and support survivor leadership locally, nationally and internationally. CATW is an important ally in our domestic and international advocacy work to combat sexual exploitation. We are proud members of the 5.2 Global Partnership to End the Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Women and Girls initiated by CATW, which works together with grassroots networks, United Nations Member States, the UN, its agencies and regional bodies to accelerate action and investments to end violence against women and girls, in particular human trafficking and sexual exploitation, sexual violence, and sexual harassment.
SEE MORE 
The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) brings together the women’s movement in Europe to influence the general public and European Institutions in support of women’s human rights and equality between women and men. EWL is the largest European umbrella network of women’s associations representing a total of more than 2000 organisations in all EU Member States and Candidate Countries, as well as 19 European-wide organisations representing the diversity of women and girls in Europe. As part of its work combating violence against women and girls, EWL leads on the vital abolitionist campaign Together for a Europe Free From Prostitution. EWL is an important ally of Ruhama’s in our international advocacy work to combat sexual exploitation.
SEE MORE