‘Killing off’ the (unbearable) sex worker: prostitution law reform in Ireland

Eilís Ward

doi:10.1080/2158379X.2019.1669259

‘Killing off’ the (unbearable) sex worker: prostitution law reform in Ireland

Eilís Ward

Political Science & Sociology

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article draws on the work of Jessica Benjamin and of Sarah Ahmed to argue that the adoption of a Sex Purchase Ban (SPB) by the Irish state constituted a form of affective governmentality that was derived from a deep psychic discomfort towards the presence of ‘errant’ female sexuality. The ban, enshrined in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, followed a long campaign by radical feminist activists but also saw, for the first time in Irish history, pro-sex work activism in the form of sex worker organisation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	358-373
Number of pages	16
Journal	Journal of Political Power
Volume	12
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/2158379X.2019.1669259
Publication status	Published - 2 Sep 2019

Keywords

Psychoanalysis
affective governmentality
sex work
the state

Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)

Authors
Ward, E

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1080/2158379X.2019.1669259

Cite this

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abstract = "This article draws on the work of Jessica Benjamin and of Sarah Ahmed to argue that the adoption of a Sex Purchase Ban (SPB) by the Irish state constituted a form of affective governmentality that was derived from a deep psychic discomfort towards the presence of {\textquoteleft}errant{\textquoteright} female sexuality. The ban, enshrined in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, followed a long campaign by radical feminist activists but also saw, for the first time in Irish history, pro-sex work activism in the form of sex worker organisation.",

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AB - This article draws on the work of Jessica Benjamin and of Sarah Ahmed to argue that the adoption of a Sex Purchase Ban (SPB) by the Irish state constituted a form of affective governmentality that was derived from a deep psychic discomfort towards the presence of ‘errant’ female sexuality. The ban, enshrined in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, followed a long campaign by radical feminist activists but also saw, for the first time in Irish history, pro-sex work activism in the form of sex worker organisation.

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‘Killing off’ the (unbearable) sex worker: prostitution law reform in Ireland

Abstract

Keywords

Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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