1 in 5 street sex workers have been sexually exploited by Gardaí, according to a new report funded by the Department of Justice.
The University of Limerick research is based on 100 hours of interviews with 25 sex workers - they had the final say in every aspect of the project to ensure the report reflected their lived experience.
The criminalisation of the purchase of sex work in 2017 has drastically affected those who work outside, driving their punters to remote and dangerous areas.
Human rights and community activist, Billie Stoica, explains how the project got its name:
" 'I must be some person' came from the question you've been through a lot. You've told me about your childhood, your family, you're working hard to get money for people. How do you stay strong to do that? What is it about you that helps you get through? And the answer came as a revelation. It was almost a shock to them as they were saying it. Well, I must be some person to be able to deal with all that."
