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The State is failing to spot victims of trafficking, here's why...

There is still a general onus on victims to self-report according to the ESRI.

VICTIMS TRAFFICKED TO Ireland are routinely not identified because of gaps in asylum procedures.

A new report by the ESRI think-tank and the European Migration Network shows that, while progress has been made by the State, there is still a general onus on victims to self-report.

The research, outlines that no formal system exists that formally identifies all victims of trafficking.

The only method that is currently available is when victims are identified by members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau. In most cases this only occurs after self-reporting from victims, often after a sustained period in the State.

What the ESRI and the EMN are calling for is the increased involvement from NGO groups in the early identification of victims.

“The absence of clarity around current arrangements leaves some victims of trafficking unable to access the same level of supports and protection as others,” said co-author of the report, Corona Joyce.

While some progress has been made – such as the adoption of anti-human trafficking legislation, coordination of a National Referral Mechanism and the roll-out of awareness-raising training no stand-alone, statutory identification procedure for all victims of trafficking is in place.

The report outlines that because some trafficking victims are identified and some are not, a ‘two-tier’ system has emerged.

In Ireland, if a ‘foreign national’ is identified as a potential or suspected victim of trafficking, and does not otherwise have ‘valid immigration permission’, specific administrative arrangements may be availed of.

Two forms of residence permission can then be put in place, an initial ‘recovery and reflection’ period of 60 days to allow the person time to recover from the alleged trafficking experience and to escape from any influence of the alleged perpetrators.

The time also allows trafficked victims make a decision on whether to help authorities investigate the alleged perpetrators.

A renewable, six-month ‘temporary residence permission’ is granted in cases whereby the Minister for Justice is satisfied that ‘the person has severed all relations with the alleged perpetrators of the trafficking’.

Supports include education, training and targeted work supports are also put in place for those identified as the victims of trafficking.

These supports are not provided to applicants for asylum and other statuses.

This of course only happens when a person has been identified as a potential victim of trafficking and there is limited screening of victims by authorities during asylum claims.

This is why self-reporting has become so prevalent and the role of NGOs is being recommended by the report.

Read: ‘Strongest response possible’ needed to combat human trafficking in Ireland >

Read: Are enough airline staff being trained to identify trafficking victims? >

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11 Comments
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    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:24 AM

    Let me tell you about separation amd divorce well there is only one winner that is solicitors and barristers. If the divorce is messy you can be looking at 25 to 45 k figure.

    The courts are a joke you could be in for a 5 minute hearing and told to come back in a month then your case might not ne heard if the courts too busy.

    If the other side doesnt turn up they are usualy given 3 tries on turning up and still a jidge doesnt like making a decision if the other side isnt there.

    It is a nightmare.

    My advice even if you hate each other try and be on talking terms for the divorce or not you both walk away with hefty bills.

    Another point don’t think you are going to out smart the courts and dont think your lies wont catch up with you. Don’t think you will get all most likely it will be 50 50.

    50
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    Mute Just4 TheJournal
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:26 AM

    In 20 years time you’ll be able to get married and divorce using only a QR code. It will eventually be so easy to get divorced there will be no point getting married except to give the hotel a year’s wages.

    22
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    Mute Doey Walsh
    Favourite Doey Walsh
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:45 AM

    Bit sad that we look at divorce and separation so lightly nowadays IMO.

    Still, one more reason not to get married I suppose.

    19
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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Feb 4th 2014, 8:57 AM

    Doey divorce and sepeartion is necessary as there is nothing as bad as been in a relationship that is on the rocks. Relationships break down for many reasons and not all can be sorted .

    By no means is separation or divorce easy it is very taxing on a person both health wise and mentally plus financially. There is no such thing as an easy way out.

    44
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    Mute Doey Walsh
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:11 AM

    I completely agree with you Dec, which is why I say it should be avoided, for me the courts treat it like a circus and its vicious for everyone involved.

    17
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    Mute Ernie Looney
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    Feb 4th 2014, 11:36 AM

    The length of time required to wait for a divorce should be reduced to two years and a separate court to deal with it.

    16
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:04 AM

    I’m divorced from somebody who doesn’t exist because the Registrar General did not act when informed of a fraud on a marriage certificate and judges didn’t read the paperwork.
    The system is designed so that if anyone has a real issue, they are expected to sort it out on appeal.
    After almost 15 years of divorce there are still no plans to introduce a register of divorces and more plans to make an offence for whistleblowing in childcare proceedings.

    8
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    Mute Eilish Deegan
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    Feb 4th 2014, 9:02 AM

    Or u could read The Midnight Companion ,written to help Irish people (especially) to deal with the emotional side to divorce and separation .Its brilliant.

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    Mute Randy Fisher
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    Feb 6th 2014, 5:05 PM

    Never get married. Rent it but don’t buy it.

    2
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    Mute Catherine Mill
    Favourite Catherine Mill
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    Feb 4th 2014, 6:31 PM

    The court corporation is designed to make profit with judge as banker and solicitors soliciting business, “expert” witnesses” guardians etc feeding off the misery of all involved.
    Solicitors will egg their client on to cause drama and prolong the case,set parties against each other and therein lies the profit.

    2
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 4th 2014, 6:23 PM

    We could return to our own marriage laws and keep away from the British family law system.

    We could only marry the other being and not have the church/state in the contract.

    Then we would never have to seek permission from the 3rd party in the contract and go to court, solicitors etc

    1
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    Mute Ina Smidiríní
    Favourite Ina Smidiríní
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    Feb 5th 2014, 10:07 AM

    Only the lowest of low amongst solicitors do this work. If you meet a family law solicitor on a night out just walk the other way.

    1
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