Sir, – I commend Kathy Sheridan for her clear-headed analysis of the inherently harmful nature of prostitution ("Telling the grim truth about prostitution", Opinion & Analysis, November 19th). As an organisation that has supported over 2,500 women whose lives have been blighted by their involvement in the sex trade, we can confirm that they did not experience prostitution as "a job like any other", but rather an existence characterised overwhelmingly by objectification, exploitation and violence meted out by those who bought them and those who profited from their sale.
As we move towards long-awaited legal reform on this issue in Ireland, Ms Sheridan is right to suggest it is time to face the truth of what prostitution really involves and stop pandering to the view of it as a harmless or even glamorous “profession”. This is a view peddled by a privileged minority and only serves to line the pockets of pimps and traffickers, and prop up the belief that men have the right to buy women and girls – usually the most marginalised and vulnerable women and girls. If we are truly interested in achieving gender equality in Ireland then tackling the oppression of prostitution has to be an absolute priority. – Yours, etc,
SARAH BENSON,
Chief Executive,
Ruhama,
All Hallows College,
Drumcondra, Dublin 9.