Gardaí probe 18 human trafficking cases this year

Gardaí have so far identified six children who have been trafficked into Ireland to be sexually abused and exploited since the start of the year, according to the Department of Justice.

Prosecutions under human trafficking legislation have also been initiated in seven cases involving children.

The figures, released by the department in response to a parliamentary question, reveal gardaí have begun 18 “trafficking related investigations” involving 22 alleged victims in 2012.

It said three of the alleged victims are Irish nationals, 12 are female, and six are children. It did not break down how many were victims of trafficking for sexual purposes and how many for labour purposes.

The response showed two people, both women, have so far been prosecuted under trafficking legislation in 2012. In one case, the woman was jailed for three years for “controlling and sexually exploiting a minor for the purpose of creating child pornography”.

In the other case, the woman was jailed for three years for “trafficking of a minor illegal immigrant and controlling/directing prostitution”.

The department said: “Seven further prosecutions relating to human trafficking have been initiated in 2012. Prosecutions under Section three of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 have been taken in all seven cases and prosecutions under Section two of the Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment Act 1990 are additionally being taken in two of the cases. All seven cases involve victims who are children.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland said 29 children have been trafficked into Ireland to be abused and exploited in the past three years, “underlining the urgent need for laws making it illegal to pay for sex”.

Speaking at the annual Mothers and Daughters fundraising lunch organised by the council, CEO, Denise Charlton, said we may never know how many women and children are never rescued. “In the three years we have been debating this issue the sex traffickers, pimps and brothel keepers have continued their trade,” she said.

“In the shadows of our society these criminals are bringing women and children into Ireland to be sexually abused and harmed by the buyers of sex.

“We want the pimps put of business by targeting demand and making it illegal to pay for sex. The current Government consultation on this issue must now progress swiftly and offer some hope to those trapped in lives of threats, abuse and violence.”

In 2011, there were 57 alleged victims of human trafficking, including 13 children, reported to gardaí. Of those, 37 were victims of sexual exploitation, 13 of labour exploitation, and two of both labour and sexual exploitation. Five were victims of “uncategorised exploitation”. Of the 13 children trafficked, eight were for sexual purposes.