Child trafficking under-identified in Ireland - IHREC

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has warned that child trafficking remains significantly under-identified in Ireland. The commission's report, "Child Trafficking and ICT-Facilitated Child Trafficking in Ireland," highlights that only 10 child victims were formally identified in 2024 and 18 in 2025. IHREC chief commissioner Liam Herrick emphasized that these figures do not indicate the true scale of child trafficking in Ireland, as many children may be overlooked or misidentified and could be treated through child protection or criminal justice systems instead of being recognized as potential trafficking victims.

The commission stresses that children experiencing exploitation might not be recognized as victims, preventing them from accessing necessary protection, assistance, and specialist support. Herrick stated that the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), established by the Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking Act 2024, is crucial for identifying and supporting trafficking victims, particularly children who are unlikely to self-identify as victims.

The report also highlights the growing use of digital technologies, such as social media, messaging platforms, and online gaming, for grooming, recruiting, and controlling children. IHREC calls for a child-centred, trauma-informed, and anti-trafficking approach across all sectors, including An Garda Síochána, child protection services, healthcare, education, immigration services, youth services, and civil society.

The commission is concerned that more than two and a half years since the NRM legislation was passed, it has not yet been enacted, emphasizing the need for urgent action to strengthen identification and protection systems for children at risk of trafficking.