Sir, – In response to Ruth Breslin’s article (“Decriminalising prostitution would risk turning Ireland into Amsterdam or Germany”, July 29th), I would like to share my perspective as a public health doctor working in sexual health. I am writing from AIDS2026, the world’s largest HIV conference, taking place in Rio de Janeiro.
During the conference opening, both Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation, reiterated the WHO’s long-standing call for the full decriminalisation of sex work.
This position is rooted in evidence that the criminalisation of sex work increases the incidence of HIV globally and results in poorer access to HIV prevention and treatment, a greater risk of stigma and violence and worse health outcomes for sex workers.
Having trained and worked in HIV clinics in several countries, I have seen these differences first-hand. It was only in Geneva, where sex work is fully decriminalised, that sex workers would routinely disclose their occupation, allowing for more tailored care.
RM Block
If our goal is to reduce HIV transmission and improve the health of vulnerable populations, we cannot afford to ignore the evidence. – Yours, etc,
Dr RALPH HURLEY O’DWYER,
Specialist registrar in public health medicine,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6
