A new strategy to tackle human trafficking in Ireland can help restore the country’s international top rating for combating the crime, Helen McEntee has predicted.
The Minister for Justice was commenting as she launched the third national action plan to tackle trafficking.
One of the central planks of the latest strategy is a new National Referral Mechanism, which is designed to make it easier for victims to come forward and access support.
Currently, the Garda has responsibility for receiving victims who come forward and officially designating them as victims.
The new mechanism shares out that function with a range of agencies, including the HSE, Tusla, the Department of Social Protection, and also trusted partner organisations who deal with people who have been targeted by traffickers.
The US State Department currently ranks Ireland as a Tier 2 country when it comes to human trafficking, meaning it does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to improve compliance.
It was downgraded from Tier 1 status in 2018 and, in recent years, it has also been placed on the Tier 2 Watch List, which is reserved for states in danger of dropping to the lowest grading, Tier 3.
Speaking at the launch of the third national action plan at Dublin Port on Monday, Minister McEntee said: “I will do everything that I can to make sure that we have an appropriate response in place and supports for victims of human trafficking.
“It’s extremely disappointing that in years gone past we were put on a tier two watch list.
“We’ve been moved off the watch list, we’re on Tier 2, this has been solely because of a belief by some that there have been significant numbers of people trafficked within our fishing industry, we dispute that, we have never been given any evidence of that.
“And, obviously, all of the efforts that are being made in this plan, and the previous efforts, are to make sure that we have the right structures in place.
“I do believe if we can put the National Referral Mechanism in place, this is a victim centred approach, irrespective of what industry, this is not just women who are being trafficked into the sex industry, but also people who are being forced into labour and different scenarios as well – men, women and, unfortunately, children.
“So, this, as well as the huge amount of training that has been developed through this strategy, I really do hope that it would bring us up to Tier 1.”
Last year, 42 victims of human trafficking were formally identified by the Garda.
Most victims are trafficked into Ireland for sexual exploitation.
A significant number of victims were also exploited for labour.
Ms McEntee expressed frustration that only two people have been prosecuted for human trafficking offences in Ireland.
She said it was “hugely encouraging” that other prosecutions have been mounted and are proceeding through the criminal justice system.
“I think we all agree that we need to see more prosecutions for human trafficking, we’ve only had two and that has been in recent years,” she said.
“Some of the most significant challenges have been, firstly, gathering evidence, highlighting this as a crime, but encouraging victims to come forward and encouraging victims to tell their story, which can be often very difficult.
“These are often people who have been coerced, have been in very dangerous situations and where their family perhaps at home have been threatened as well.
“So their willingness or their ability to come forward as part of a prosecution is very difficult.
“This plan overall the objective is to ensure that victims are comfortable coming forward, that they are safe, that they have the right supports, and that there is trust within the system.
“And that’s why the new National Referral Mechanism is really important.”
The minister said the main aim of the strategy was to create a system that was “victim centred”.
“That encourages victims of human trafficking to come forward to seek help and when they do so, they know that they will be supported,” she said.
“It’s also really important that those who are responsible for these absolutely appalling crimes that they are brought to justice as well, and that we see more prosecutions over time.”
