The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform recently published a National Action Plan setting out the measures that have already been undertaken to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute offenders. It identifies areas which require further action and sets out the structures which, when fully in place, will allow Ireland to ratify the international instruments dealing with trafficking in human beings.

In October 2008, a campaign was undertaken to raise the awareness of the public and professionals to the crime of human trafficking. The campaign is based on the ‘blue blindfold’ concept, which has as its message “Don’t Close your Eyes to Human Trafficking”. The campaign includes media advertisements, the issue of posters and leaflets to a large range of organisations including An Garda Síochána, Hospitals, Health Centres, libraries, airports and ports, Governmental Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), etc. A website was also set up which gives details on what is human trafficking, the difference between human trafficking and smuggling, the policing of human trafficking, international co-operation and other newsworthy events. The website can be accessed at http://www.blueblindfold.gov.ie.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in the Department has recently produced an article on human trafficking, Human Trafficking from the perspective of the Child, available here.

As part of the Department’s ongoing effort to raise awareness of human trafficking, they are keen to explore the possibility of increasing awareness among IFUT members who may encounter suspected victims of human trafficking, especially children. To pursue this further, members are invited to contact:

Gerardine Coyle
Anti-Human Trafficking Unit
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Pinebrook House
72-74 Harcourt Street
Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 602 8233
E-mail: GMCoyle@justice.ie