This week, MPs, Peers and NGOs gathered in Westminster to reflect on the ban on buying sex introduced in Northern Ireland.

Addressing the group were a number of key supporters of the Northern Ireland legislation including Women’s Aid Northern Ireland who outlined the legislation’s importance for victims of trafficking.

Mia de Faoite, a survivor of prostitution from the Republic of Ireland, spoke powerfully about her personal experience and why she believed that the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act was so necessary, saying:

“it is my firm belief that every human is entitled to live a dignified life, and prostitution is the systematic stripping of one’s human dignity and I know that because I have lived and witnessed it, and it must no longer be tolerated”

The hosting MPs —Jim Shannon, Fiona Mactaggart and Fiona Bruce— commended Northern Ireland and Lord Morrow for taking this step and highlighted the importance of implementing the new offence effectively. They also expressed their hope that MPs from all parties would see the need for this approach and that before too long other parts of the UK would follow Northern Ireland’s lead.

We at CARE have been hugely privileged to have played a role in supporting Lord Morrow as the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Act become law. We will continue to call for the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services throughout the rest of the United Kingdom. The breadth of support across political parties and NGOs present at this event in Parliament is a great encouragement.