Only one woman given immunity from deportation

SEX trafficking victims, often with little or no English, are being left to fend for themselves after being rescued from brothels dotted around the country.

Ruhama, which works for the welfare of prostitutes, has also claimed that, despite numerous applications, just one victim of trafficking has been given the initial immunity from deportation guaranteed by the Government in legislation introduced six months ago. That woman only received the immunity yesterday.

According to Ruhama, unlike other countries in Europe, the victims of trafficking are not put into safe houses, but are left to find their own accommodation while the Gardaí investigate their cases. That is despite the fact the brothel owners and their associates, who force the women to have sex with dozens of men, are often released from custody relatively quickly while their cases are being processed.