Government urged to beef up laws on sex trafficking

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has called on the Government to ensure that shortfalls in law are addressed in the new action plan on human trafficking promised for the autumn.

It is essential that Ireland strengthens laws to combat a black economy worth over €1bn, the council said in a statement issued yesterday, on the first UN-designated World Day Against Trafficking.

It said Ireland needs a robust action plan to provide proper supports and protections for victims, as well as laws to jail those behind it and target the buyers of sex who fuel the demand for trafficking.