Organisation representing sex workers and trafficking victims to expand Cork and Limerick services

Ruhama is currently recruiting outreach workers for its Cork and Limerick branches to reach people in isolated areas

Barbara Condon, chief executive of Ruhama: 'Having the regional hubs ensures accessibility and it is essential that specialist services exist outside of Dublin.'

An organisation working with sex workers and human trafficking victims is expanding its services in a bid to reach those in more isolated areas of the south and mid-west region.

Outreach workers are currently being recruited by Ruhama for its branches in Cork and Limerick, as well as in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Ruhama, chief executive Barbara Condon said the Limerick branch opened two years ago, while the Cork branch opened last summer.

She said online services were being provided for some victims because of where they are located. She explained some do not have access to private or public transport, adding: “We do visit them too but there is a limitation to that because it takes so long to get there and back.” 

She said recruitment of new outreach workers would help to address these issues.

The Cork office is for the Cork and Kerry region but we are focused predominantly on Cork at the moment until we recruit more staff. 

Figures released by Ruhama last September showed the organisation engaged with 646 individuals in 2023, an increase of 30% from the previous year.

Ms Condon said the majority of victims were migrants but said they came from all different backgrounds and ages.

“We are seeing more younger women however, because that is what the demand on the market is. Unfortunately, direct provision centres are where victims of human trafficking are housed and we know it is totally inappropriate. We have been calling for a long time for alternatives and particularly gender-specific accommodation for victims of human trafficking.” 

While saying there was one eight-bed unit in Dublin for victims, Ms Condon said: “Down the country, there is nothing.” 

The organisation plans to open a branch in the north-west of the country within the next year.

“It is really important that everyone has accessibility," Ms Condon said. 

"If people have to travel for hours and hours, or have to travel to Dublin, that is not accessible in any means. Having the regional hubs ensures accessibility and it is essential that specialist services exist outside of Dublin. 

"For too long, rural communities within the regions have been crying out for services.”