Probe into scale of trafficking of woman and children planned

A MAJOR research project is to be undertaken to determine the scale of the illegal trafficking of woman and children into Ireland.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland announced yesterday it is commissioning the first large study of its kind into the extent of the problem in addition to examining how best to assist people who are illegally trafficked for sexual exploitation.

ICI chief executive Denise Charlton said agencies working with migrants believe the number of women and children who are forced into the illegal sex trade here is far larger than suggested by cases coming to the attention of law enforcement officials.

“The scale of trafficking into Ireland is unknown, but the reportedly small number of cases investigated by Gardaí is believed to be the tip of the iceberg,” said Ms Charlton.

The commissioning of the report comes just days after a BBC undercover investigation revealed that a suspected human trafficker based in eastern Europe regularly uses Rosslare as a gateway for smuggling women and children into Britain.

In the documentary, Bulgarian criminal Hasan Redzheb Hasan boasted that the Wexford port was one of his preferred routes for routinely organising the trafficking of women who end up working in the sex trade.

Children are also smuggled into western European countries and sold for up to €60,000 each.

EU officials have estimated that in excess of 100,000 people are trafficked illegally across borders each year.

However, the ICI now wants to try and get a more accurate picture of just how many people are being trafficked into Ireland.

Another aim of the study is to determine the country of origin of people who are illegally brought here.

Ms Charlton pointed out that a US State Department report published earlier this year identified Ireland as a potential destination country for women and children trafficked from eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

The ICI research will also examine the response of various agencies including An Garda Síochána and the immigration authorities to the victims of trafficking victims.

The results of the study are expected to be completed in about 12 months.