Concern over NI child prostitutes

Study found prostitutes as young as 12

The exploitation of children as prostitutes in Northern Ireland must be stopped, the Women's Coalition leader Monica McWilliams has said.

Police revealed on Tuesday that child prostitutes as young as 13 were working in many areas across the province.

South Belfast assembly member Ms McWilliams said she was concerned about the level of protection for the children.

"We are talking immediately here about the issues of protection and prevention ," she said.

It is quite shocking to hear that people are being robbed of their childhood at such an early age

Monica McWilliams
Women's Coalition

"In the longer term we are talking about the provision of services to ensure that we stop this because it is a form of slavery.

"We have heard so much about other kinds of child abuse in recent days that it is quite shocking to hear that people are being robbed of their childhood at such an early age."

According to police, girls are even being brought in from other countries.

The police's child abuse and rape inquiry team said child prostitution was centred largely in Belfast.

The unit's lead officer, Chief Inspector William McAuley, said there was evidence that girls have been brought from Scotland and ply their trade in hotel rooms.

He said one girl was found to have £300 on her without explanation.

The children - mostly young girls - are exploited, rather than coerced, into becoming prostitutes. Many are paid in drugs.

Chief Inspector McAuley said there were up to 20 young people working as prostitutes in Northern Ireland.

He also warned of evidence that paramilitaries were becoming increasingly involved in organising child prostitution.

"I haven't seen anything now that would shock me," he said.

Chief Inspector William McAuley: "Evidence girls have been brought from Scotland "

"Over the years I have seen as much as could be possibly done to a child."

There are five suites in Northern Ireland where child sex abuse victims come to talk about their horrific experiences and to be medically examined.

"There is some evidence that paramilitaries have been involved in prostitution generally in Northern Ireland," said the leading officer.

"More recently they have been involved in the prostitution of young people.

"There are a number of cases which have come to our attention over the last three years that would indicate that there has been some organisation in using young people in prostitution.

"By young people I mean people who are under 18. Some of them are from here and some of them are being brought across from the UK - like Scotland.

"We have had reports of young people using hotels in Belfast."

Clients are given a hotel room number and give money to a person, then go to the room where a young boy or girl will be waiting.

"In today's society we have to realise that there are sexual predators who will use every opportunity to get access to young people and children."

Evidence also points to the downloading of child pornography from the internet increasing on a weekly basis.