Debate contribution: Adult Services Websites
Debate contribution by Ms Emma Sheerin on .
- MLA
- Ms Emma Sheerin
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 27 January 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Adult Services Websites
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5345488
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I support the motion. At the outset, I acknowledge that we still have a bit to do on exploring how such websites present themselves across society. We also need to have a real conversation about the risks. The fact that we are having this debate today is welcome — I would welcome more such conversations — and heartening, following yesterday evening's debate on the use of deepfakes to abuse women. It is important that such conversations become mainstream and that we in the Assembly lead on them. Ten years ago, we supported legislation that was in line with the Nordic model to criminalise those who purchase sex, as opposed to those who work in the sex services industry. It is important that we are led by those people. Consideration should be given to their evidence on the use of such websites as a safety measure and their ability to screen the people who use them. That is an important factor to consider as we proceed. I welcome the opportunity to flesh out the issue and have a full conversation about it. We know that advances in technology are moving incredibly fast. As I said last night, the abuse of women is as old as time, but technology is allowing people to do it in more nefarious ways than ever before. The use of such websites can further that abuse by allowing the perpetrators — those who seek to use and abuse women — to live "normal" lives and be upstanding members of society whilst their activities are hidden in plain sight, in that they occur right under our nose. It is important that we remove the shame and stigma from those who are engaged in sex work, particularly the victims of human trafficking or any other sort of exploitation. That is something on which we all need to take a stand. An education piece is definitely needed. As with all elements of it, misogyny can exist only where there is ignorance and where we do not have informed conversations with boys and girls, and with young men and young women, about the dangers. That is increasingly important as well. I conclude by saying that I support today's motion and welcome the establishment of the APG. Its work will be fundamental to protecting all those involved.
385 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.06 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.85).
- No identity-based framing was identified (0.88).
- Subject area: Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.09 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.03 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.05 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.06 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.85 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.06 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 0.88 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.12 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Sexism, misogyny, ageism and other equality groups | 0.59 |
| Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issues | 0.41 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.00 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 14:22 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
Disagree with this assessment?
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