According to The Journal, a new report shows a 20% increase in identified human trafficking victims in Ireland over the past three years. But experts say this doesn’t necessarily mean trafficking itself is on the rise.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) released its Third National Anti-Human trafficking report today, revealing some eye-opening statistics. In 2023 alone, 53 victims were identified, bringing the total to 139 over the three-year period from 2021 to 2023.
While these numbers might seem alarming, the IHREC suggests they actually reflect improvements in how Ireland tackles human trafficking. Noeline Blackwell, an IHREC Commissioner, explained that the increase likely shows better identification of victims rather than a surge in trafficking itself.
The report also highlighted concerns about child trafficking. Over the past 11 years, children made up 8% of trafficking victims in Ireland, lower than the EU average of 15%. However, the IHREC warns this could be due to inadequate systems for identifying child victims rather than fewer actual cases.
New legislation enacted in July aims to better protect victims’ rights, though some gaps remain, particularly regarding child trafficking and equal protection for all victims regardless of their background.
Blackwell emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that sexual exploitation is the most common form of trafficking in Ireland, primarily affecting women, girls, and ethnic minorities. She called on Ireland to fulfill its “political and moral responsibility” to support trafficking survivors.
The report offers recommendations on various aspects of human trafficking, including labour exploitation and technology-facilitated sex trafficking, as Ireland continues to improve its response to this complex issue.