Irish Council for International Students welcomes introduction of Bill to criminalise ‘Sex for Rent’ exploitation

The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) welcomes the introduction of the Labour Party’s bill to criminalise ‘sex for rent’ exploitation. This is an important step towards protecting renters, including international students, from predatory landlords.

Many international students struggle to find safe, affordable housing, and face heightened risks of being exploited in the rental market, with women, in particular, being most at risk. ICOS’ Renting in Ireland report found that 5% of female international students said they had either received an offer to rent a room in exchange for sex, or had seen a room that was being advertised in exchange for sex. Offering accommodation in exchange for sex is a coercive and abusive practice that must be outlawed. ICOS has been calling for the introduction of this legislation for several years and we urge Members of the Oireachtas to support this bill. 

Commenting on the introduction of the new bill, ICOS Policy and Communications Manager, Brian Hearne, stated: “This bill is vital to protecting renters, including international students, and particularly women, from being exploited. No one should have to be exposed to sexual exploitation in their search for a place to live. We at the Irish Council for International Students call on all Members of the Oireachtas to support the bill and ensure that it is brought into legislation.”

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Further information and for comment:

Brian Hearne, Policy and Communications Manager 

Email: bhearne@icosirl.ie