Gardaí are investigating a series of targeted attacks on sex workers, mainly in Dublin, within the last month.
Detectives attached to the ‘Operation Quest’ team at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, are liaising with local Detective Units as part of the investigation.
They say that since the middle of October seven attacks have happened on sex workers advertising sexual services on online sites.
On each occasion an appointment is made online, but when the ‘client’ arrives the sex worker is attacked and robbed by a number of men.
Gardaí say the motive appears to be monetary gain.
They are appealing to any sex worker who may have been subject to a similar attack to immediately report the incident. Gardaí are also asking anyone with information on the targeted attacks to get in touch.
Ruhama, the organisation that supports women affected by prostitution, says sex workers are an easy target.
A list of victim support groups are available here.
