New inquiry to investigate ‘pimping websites’ in Northern Ireland

A new Stormont Assembly group will investigate “pimping websites” in Northern Ireland.

It will be carried out by the newly formed All Party Group (APG) on Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

It comes eleven years after the Assembly introduced human trafficking laws, which ensured Northern Ireland was the first, and so far the only, part of the UK to make buying sex illegal.

However concern has been expressed that police in Northern Ireland are not fully using their powers.

It is understood that since that law received Royal Assent in 2015, pimping websites have become the most common way for criminal gangs to profit from the sale of women and girls.

The group said a media investigation in June 2025 found thousands of potential indicators of sexual exploitation on two of the UK’s most prominent adult service websites.

An event will held at Parliament Buildings on Monday, hosted by the APG and charity Care NI, to mark the start of the inquiry.

DUP MLA Peter Martin, who chairs the APG, said the inquiry aims to expose platforms which exploit.

“Commercial sexual exploitation is a reality within our society and pimping websites have facilitated and expatiated this exploitation,” he said.

“This inquiry will work towards exposing these platforms which have often hidden behind the veil of empowerment and safety.”

Lord Morrow, the original proposer of the Bill, said: “Over ten years ago, the Northern Ireland Assembly took a courageous and bold step against those who seek to exploit women and girls.

“The Nordic model is about protection, protection from commodification and exploitation, and we remain steadfast in ensuring that this legislation is providing optimal protection for victims.”

Jessica Mcdowell, policy officer at Care NI, said: “It is a programme for government priority for the Northern Ireland Executive to combat violence against women and girls.

“If the Executive are serious about change they must combat the harm from the sale of women in Belfast.

“On any given day over 300 women can be advertised for sale on pimping websites in Northern Ireland.

“This is illegal.

“The law is clear, purchasing sex is a crime. If that law was enforced, demand would reduce and women and girls would receive better protection.

“It is time for action to be taken on the criminal gangs profiting from exploiting women online.”