200 trafficked sex workers who sought help 'just tip of the iceberg'
Tuesday February 13 2007
However, Ruhama predicts that this is just the tip of the iceberg with hundreds of other women too fearful to speak out against their pimps.
And the profile of prostitution in Ireland has changed dramatically in recent years with the sex workers migrating from the street corner into private apartments and pimps touting for business over the internet.
Around 90pc of prostitutes are now non-nationals catering for a largely Irish customer base.
Hidden
"I don't think anyone knows exactly the scale of the problem in Ireland because this particular crime is very much hidden," said spokesperson Geraldine Rowley.
"Since 2000, we have come in contact with 200 women and have assisted half of them.
"But that is only the tip of the iceberg as the sex industry is expanding all the time.
"Most are coming from countries that have high-risk status as source countries for people trafficking, such as former Soviet bloc countries, South America and Nigeria," she added.
Many of the women who have contacted Ruhama want to return home but are terrified their family will find out what has happened to them in Ireland.
"Often they are trafficked by a man who is well-known to their family. Depending on the culture, there could be retaliation either by the family against her or a 'blood feud' where the family will murder the trafficker in retaliation," Ms Rowley said.
Often the pimp escapes prosecution as current legislation means that he must be found on the premises if he is to face charges - something that happens infrequently now that they use the internet.
There is also no specific legislation against people trafficking, Ms Rowley said.
"To date it (people trafficking) is not illegal in Ireland. That is why this is such a high-profit low-risk crime, because the legislation is not there.
"The evidence is that current legislation is not addressing trafficking because we are not getting the convictions.
"We have been promised legislation by the Government but it is not comprehensive enough. The victims of this crime need to be offered protection and the Irish bill does not include that," she said.
Of the women who have contacted Ruhama, several of their traffickers have had files sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions but no charges have emerged.
Nationwide
"It has now gone nationwide and into rural areas. We need a specialised Garda unit to carry out intelligence and surveillance work because this is a crime that is growing in Ireland but its victims are voiceless and hidden," said Ms Rowley.
Ruhama launched its 'Freedom Key' to raise awareness of the tens of thousands of women around the world who have been enslaved in prostitution through trafficking. The key ring costs ?2 with half going to fund Ruhama's services in Ireland.
Anyone who would like to help sell the key rings is asked to log onto to www.ruhama.ie.
- Breda Heffernan
