Voodoo fears keep Nigerians from naming traffickers

MANY Nigerian women trafficked into Ireland for prostitution refuse to identify their traffickers because of voodoo rituals, an expert has told a conference.

Gerardine Rowley, director of Ruhama, which works with prostitutes, said plans under new legislation to provide victims of trafficking a recovery period of 45 days before they possibly face deportation was not enough given the trauma and “mind control” they suffer.

She was speaking at a conference organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI). The conference comes as the Department of Justice prepares to launch a national awareness campaign on trafficking, including a hotline to report suspicions of trafficking, later this month.