Ms Claire Harrington:

I am here today to share with the members what we would like to see happen in regard to human trafficking in our country. It has been internationally recognised that our Government has fully complied with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. However, we suggest a number of possible approaches to addressing the issue. We would like to see our Government enact legislation, lead policy development and provide resources.

We feel strongly that the approach needs to be multifaceted and must include raising awareness, education, legislation, regulation, technology and help and support.
In terms of raising awareness, we have made positive use of social media and we feel this should be replicated in future awareness work. We would like to see TV and radio advertisements like those for road safety and cancer involving the late Gerry Collins. We suggest posters on billboards, bus shelters and road signage. We think a broadening of focus is necessary. It is more than sexual exploitation; more focus is needed on labour exploitation. We think goodwill ambassadors in all countries highlighting the issue would be positive. We hope our material, research and experiences can be used to further the cause. We would like to see anti-trafficking groups such as the Donegal group working on a local level under the umbrella of an all-Ireland national anti-trafficking plan.

On education, we would like to see a module for the new junior certificate on human trafficking. We recommend the development of an educational app. There should be ongoing and compulsory up-to-date training for all staff at points of entry to the country. Indicator cards need to be freely available on how to recognise a victim. More public information campaigns are necessary in libraries, schools, colleges, on computer search engines, airports and ferry ports. A variety of up-to-date resources need to be created for schools - both primary and secondary. We believe information leaflets must be distributed by car hire and travel agents.

On the legislative front, there is an urgent need for a clear, concise and comprehensive definition of human trafficking which will encompass all forms of modern day slavery – within or between countries, criminal or otherwise, and not differentiating between victim or form of exploitation. We want to see health and safety protection for victims and meeting the needs of the victims enshrined in the law. We believe international co-operation is paramount in the sharing of information, vigilance, prosecutions and the movement of people.

We would like to see buyer and seller prosecuted and sentences given, which would deter others from engaging in the crime. To quote the APT presentation to the committee in 2006, “sentences must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Similar to drug trafficking or money laundering.” Just yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of the European Parliament recognised that sex-buyer legislation is the most effective method of combatting the problem. The Government needs to remove the demand for the sex trade. This lucrative, low-risk business needs to be tackled. Victims must be treated as innocent victims and not as criminals and cared for by the Department best equipped to deal with their specific needs and given time in suitable care before a decision is made about their future. There must be specified care for trafficked children and the family of origin. Care must be provided to victims, regardless of involvement in helping with prosecutions or immigration status. A clear distinction must be made between trafficked person and illegal immigrant. We believe it is urgent that there is statutory requirement for the ongoing training for all those dealing with trafficked people.

We firmly believe labour exploitation needs to be tackled in the hospitality sector, domestic, child minding, restaurants and agricultural work by means of regulation. Property owners must be made to account for the purpose of premises they rent out. There must be a register of dance clubs, massage parlours, au pairs and language school students.

We must investigate whether a Nike tracker technology could be used to tackle this issue. This is a tracking device installed in the shoe. We must also investigate whether Bluetooth technology could be used to promote an important international hotline number. We think there should be a pre-installed help app for victims on all mobile phones. We want to see employment locations, such as escort agencies and massage parlours, obliged to display a legal notice of help available for staff. Trafficking and other social issues need to be highlighted by search engines such as Google. We insist that mobile phone companies should be obliged to request ID for all SIM card purchases, hence a database of ownership. We feel map pins of mobile phone movement patterns might be able to aid mapping the movement of suspected victims.

On the help and support front, we want to see a continent-wide helpline in Europe with easily memorable numbers. There should be a 24-hour phone line with a human response which is well advertised and promoted. All embassies and consulates worldwide must update information and promote awareness of trafficking. We need a co-ordinated central website with links to all 68 agencies and interested parties. All care must be culturally sensitive for the victim. Ireland needs to develop support networks and structures in all counties. We believe the Government must provide human and financial resources to tackle awareness, education, research, care and support.