Trafficking victims ‘not guaranteed’ lawyer access

Victims of human trafficking here are not being guaranteed access to specialised lawyers, safe accommodation and proper supports, according to European Union-funded research which is due to be published today.

The report ‘Upholding Rights’ makes recommendations for six jurisdictions — Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Britain.

The research found that there are no formal routes, protocols or procedures in place to guarantee victims of trafficking proper access to lawyers as early as possible.

The report is also critical of the practice of placing victims of sex trafficking in Ireland into direct provision centres. It calls for the appointment of an independent national rapporteur to ensure robust measures are in place to protect victims.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland, the lead partner in the research, said the findings should be acted upon in a new National Action Plan on Human Trafficking promised by the Government.

The report makes recommendations for the six countries involved, including:

Standardised procedures to identify victims of trafficking without prejudice to nationality and legal status;

Early access to lawyers for all detected victims of trafficking, covering all aspects of law;

Minimum accommodation standards for victims of trafficking — the end of the use of direct provision centres;

Increased education and public awareness campaign.

Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said: “This research comes at a key time for Ireland, with the Government about to publish its new Sexual Offences Bill, which includes laws targeting the buyers of sex, as well as the promised second National Action Plan on Human Trafficking. We would urge the minister for justice to study the shortfalls highlighted and ensure they are acted upon.

“We also want the Government to rapidly progress its plans for laws targeting the buyers of sex so as the business model for pimps and traffickers is wrecked,” she said.

Dr Monica O’Connor, who collated the research across all six countries, said: “While progress has been made in each of the six countries in responding to the crime of trafficking, in particular sexual exploitation as its prevalent form, it is clear that there are still shortfalls to be addressed.

“Together with the Early Legal Intervention project partners across the six countries, we hope that our work will inform public policy and ensure that all action taken in this area gives priority to the protection of the victim.”

Meanwhile, figures show 45 potential trafficking victims were discovered in Northern Ireland last year.

They claimed they were subjected to domestic servitude, labour or sexual exploitation, the North’s National Crime Agency said.

At least one case involved a girl from outside the UK who alleged she was sexually exploited.

Staff at Belfast International Airport have been trained in spotting those affected, thanks to human rights organisation the International Justice Mission.

IJM UK chief executive Terry Tennens said: “The vast majority of trafficking victims come from backgrounds of poverty, which makes women and girls especially susceptible to traffickers’ schemes of deception.”