A number of young women have reported receiving “shocking” offers of accommodation in exchange for sex, with international students particularly affected. Ireland, being the only English-speaking country in the EU, attracts a significant number of students learning English, estimated to be around 40,000. These students often turn to private Facebook groups to find accommodation due to the country’s ongoing housing crisis.

Brazilian Ana Paula Viana, who studied English and pursued a master’s degree in Dublin, responded to an ad for a single bedroom in the city center. When inquiring about the price, she was offered accommodation without payment if she slept in the owner’s bedroom several times a week. Ana, a former journalist, was shocked and chose to ignore the offer.

Such adverts typically do not mention sexual favors but the intentions of the advertisers become apparent upon contact. The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) has reported a concerning rise in such incidents. According to a survey by ICOS, one in twenty students has experienced such propositions.

The ICOS has called for urgent legislative measures to address the issue. Although two bills aimed at criminalizing this behavior were not passed before the dissolution of the Irish parliament last year, the newly appointed minister for justice, Jim O’Callaghan, has indicated that the government is looking to introduce legislation making it a criminal offense. Ana, along with organizations like ICOS, emphasizes the need for immediate action by the government. The issue disproportionately affects women from Latin America, who often face sexualization and exploitation due to their origins.

Due to an acute shortage of rental properties and high rents, averaging around €2,500 per month in Dublin, international students are forced to seek accommodation through social media, increasing their vulnerability to exploits by individuals who exploit the housing shortage for sexual gain.