Rise in child sex offences related to human trafficking 

Government moves to improve its record on tackling human trafficking after a critical international report

Garda records under the category “Human Trafficking” include sexual exploitation of a child, labour exploitation of a child, similar offences regarding an adult and prostitution offences. File photo

Human trafficking-related offences involving the sexual exploitation of children have increased significantly in recent years, figures show.

The figures come amid renewed pledges by the Government to improve the country’s response to human trafficking following a critical US report on Ireland’s record in the area last July.