Charities call for anti-trafficking reforms following critical report

Charities fighting human trafficking have spoken out against Ireland's failure to adequately tackle human trafficking, following a report from the US State Department.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report has placed Ireland at Tier 2 or below since 2018 because it fails to meet minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

Speaking on Monday at the release of the report, Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said: “It is regrettable to note that although 53 trafficking investigations took place during the year, only 2 prosecutions were initiated in 2023.”

Mr Killoran added: “Although the Government has published a National Action Plan in 2023 which outlines many of the advances needed to ensure the recovery and integration of trafficked people, little progress has been made in the implementation of these actions, as reflected in the National Action Plan on Trafficking in Persons 2024. Report.

“We must remember that in every case the person in question is a victim of crime and, too often, they have endured months or years of the most horrific exploitation. Their progress toward the lives they once had must be our primary concern and must imbue all actions taken by the state and supporting organizations with a sense of critical urgency. »

The report notes that progress was made in 2023 with the opening of the first specialized shelter for victims of trafficking. The association believes, however, that this situation is not yet widespread enough and that victims of trafficking are still accommodated in direct accommodation centers, which, according to them, constitutes an inappropriate setting for victims of human trafficking. Human being.

Ruhama, a charity which supports women affected by prostitution, sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation, Barbara Condon said major gaps in Irish identification procedures and victim protection persisted in 2023, but welcomed the upcoming reform of the “National Referral”. Mechanism” (NRM). She said: “Reforms are urgently needed to extend the formal identification of trafficking victims to a competent authority or trusted partner and to remove the requirement for victims to co-operate with An Garda Síochána to access to supports.

While An Gardai Siochana opened 28 new sex trafficking investigations in 2023, no new prosecutions were brought.

“We are very concerned that the true number of trafficking victims is seriously under-detected, which can prolong victims' pain and trauma and limit their access to vital support services,” Ms Condon said.

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