Human trafficking victims living in 'highly unsuitable' direct provision accommodation, charity says

According to the Department of Integration, gardaí are notified when potential victims of trafficking end up in State accommodation, but there are concerns many of these women remain trapped in inappropriate living conditions. Picture: iStock

There are up to 100 potential victims of human trafficking living in State-provided accommodation for asylum seekers.

A charity supporting women who have been trafficked into the country is now calling for dedicated space for these women, who are often forced into prostitution.

According to the Department of Integration, gardaí are notified when potential victims of trafficking end up in State accommodation, but there are concerns many of these women remain trapped in inappropriate living conditions.

Last year, a pilot scheme was launched with an eight-bed unit in Dublin provided specifically for victims of international trafficking. 

The facility is run by Depaul and was established by the Department of Integration, as part of a Government plan called 'Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence'.

Women at the facility are supported by Ruhama, a charity that assists those affected by prostitution and sex trafficking.

Policy and communications coordinator with Ruhama Danielle McLaughlin said the Dublin pilot scheme needed to be rolled out to other areas.

 “The majority of victims that we would see are in direct provision, which is highly unsuitable," she said. 

"There are victims from many different nationalities. Human trafficking happens within Ireland as well so we don’t see this [asylum seeker accommodation] as accessible for all victims, so we would like to see something else in place.” 

The charity Depaul has also published a report on a link between homelessness and human trafficking in Dublin.

Research for the report found there were victims of human trafficking living in homeless accommodation services in Dublin.

A spokesman for the Department of Integration said the Dublin pilot project “provides access to an eight-bed accommodation unit, providing supported, case-managed accommodation for women who are identified as victims of trafficking".

Any decision regarding the expansion of the service will be made following the completion of the pilot project, the spokesman added.