Numbers trafficked for sexual exploitation rise by almost a third, support group finds – The Irish Times

New figures show that the number of people victims of sexual exploitation, as recorded by aid agency Ruhama, rose by almost a third last year compared to 2022.

The data, published in the charity’s annual report on Thursday, showed that 155 trafficking victims were involved with Ruhama in 2023 – a 29 percent increase on 2022. The highest numbers came from Nigeria (82), Zimbabwe (16) and South Africa (13). Of the total, 58 were new users of the service.

Of the 646 people it supported in total, the largest numbers came from Ireland and Zimbabwe (37 each), Brazil (25) and Nigeria (21). The total represents a 30 per cent increase in demand for support in a year.

The figures appear to confirm trends identified earlier this month in a report by the Irish Human Rights Commission (IHREC), which said 53 victims of trafficking, including five children, were officially identified last year.

While it found a 26 percent increase in victims since 2022, IHREC noted a “stark” 33 percent increase in female victims across all forms of trafficking. It said five children, four of them girls, were identified as victims in 2023.

According to Ruhama, one of the “negative trends” of last year was the traumatic impact of anti-immigration protests on users’ mental health.

The report said they were “re-traumatised and experiencing a deep sense of fear due to protests outside reception centres across Ireland”.

“It is well documented that direct provision does not provide a safe and stable foundation for recovery. However, due to the recent increase in racist protests where public anger can be directed at asylum seekers as they enter and leave their temporary homes, Ruhama therapists have spent time supporting service users around their sense of safety in Ireland. It is important that society does not confuse immigration with human trafficking,” the report said.

Ruhama contacted 73 people in Limerick last year, 26 of whom were victims of trafficking. “In the Limerick region, we have seen an increase in street prostitution among women who are homeless and addicted. These women are particularly marginalised and vulnerable, and struggle to access services,” the report said.

In the Midlands, social workers helped 43 people, including 14 victims of human trafficking.

One of the plans for this year is the opening of a ‘hub’ in Cork, serving the Cork and Kerry region.