1.8 million children sold for sex every year

A PETITION was handed into the Leinster House yesterday calling for stricter legislation to be introduced on human trafficking which sees over 1.8 million children, some as young as seven, sold for sex every year.

The petition was launched by the Children’s Rights Alliance and The Body Shop Ireland to raise awareness and vital funds for victims and people at risk of trafficking.

Children’s Rights Alliance chief executive, Jillian van Turnhout, said Ireland is not immune from the crime of child trafficking.