Human trafficking conference in Cork highlights up to 100 victims at any one time

Cork may have as many as 100 human trafficking victims at any given time, a conference at Cork County Hall heard this week. Agencies called for greater collaboration to tackle labour and child trafficking.

Human trafficking conference in Cork highlights up to 100 victims at any one time

Cork conference puts human trafficking figures under the spotlight

Up to 100 people may be victims of human trafficking in Cork at any given time, according to the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Fergal Dennehy. The figure was cited this week at "Human Trafficking in Cork: A Refocus", a conference held at Vertigo in Cork County Hall, as corkcountyppn.ie reports.

The event was hosted by Cork County PPN and organised by Cork Against Human Trafficking (CAHT), a collaborative initiative described as uniquely singular in Ireland. CAHT brings together the Sexual Violence Centre Cork, An Garda Síochána, the Legal Aid Board, and the HSE, among other agencies, under the leadership of Mary Crilly.

Crilly, CEO of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork, noted that the conference coincided with World Day against Trafficking in Persons. She thanked Cork County PPN Coordinator Morrin Drislane, saying the event would not have happened without her. More than 100 people attended throughout the day. "We wanted to bring everyone together," Crilly said.

Speakers at the conference included a Garda Síochána superintendent, representatives from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), and Mecpaths. The Sexual Violence Centre has previously supported women rescued from brothels during Garda raids.

Concern was raised that child trafficking cases in Cork are likely going undetected at a significant rate, particularly when compared to the thousands of cases investigated annually in the United Kingdom.

Catriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners also addressed the conference, stating that if Crilly identifies a need for greater action, it is time to act.

Lord Mayor Dennehy urged Cork residents to "be aware, be vigilant, and don't be afraid to ask questions or report concerns." He directed a message to victims directly: "you're not invisible, you are not alone."

The conference produced a clear call for expanded inter-agency cooperation. Cork County PPN noted that the new Mayor of County Cork, Mary Linehan Foley, has expressed a willingness to learn more and to invite Crilly to address the full County Council.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)