VIGIL AT THE DÁIL 17 DECEMBER

December 17 is International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.

Every year, we come together to remember and honour sex workers lost to violence. This gathering is also a call for change. 

Last December, Red Umbrella Éireann and Street Workers Collective Ireland co-organised an evening vigil outside the Dáil to memorialise sex workers who have died in Ireland in recent years and speak out against the laws that make sex work more dangerous.

Speakers from RUE and SWCI were joined by Fiona Crowley from Amnesty International, Maggie Ronayne from Global Women’s Strike Ireland, Laura Fitzgerald from ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement, and Ruth Coppinger TD who emphasised the vital importance of the decriminalisation of sex work to keep us safe.

We also got to hear from sex workers from Ireland and beyond who have been subjected to State and gardai violence condoned and facilitated by the current legislation around sex work in Ireland. Banners and placards held the names of those we’ve lost to this violence, and calls for change and decrim. 

Remembering is an act of resistance, and we will continue the struggle for decriminalisation in 2026 thinking of our sisters, and fight for safer living and working conditions for all. 

More news on the decriminalisation bill to follow soon x