A programme to help young people within care to recognise the signs of human trafficking has launched in Northern Ireland for the first time. The move comes as recent figures show that six children were saved from potential exploitation in Northern Ireland in 2018.
‘The Journey’ is a specialist youth programme designed by Co Down based registered charity, Invisible Traffick.
Invisible Traffick adopts a robust approach to the very serious crime of child sexual exploitation happening across Northern Ireland and the programme reflects this.
The objective of the programme is to empower young people to protect themselves and have the confidence to say ‘no.’
The charity to delighted to have sponsorship and support from MLA, Kellie Armstrong and funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Representatives from Social Services, PSNI and the community and voluntary sector will be joined by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, John Larkin QC at Stormont on the April 3 to celebrate the launch. The first workshop takes place in early April at Lakewood Regional Secure Care in Bangor.
Charity Director, Gayle Bunting said the programme is very timely due to recent televised documentaries and Modern Day Slavery reports revealing that six children were saved from potential sexual exploitation in Northern Ireland last year.
“This is an increase of 68% on 2017. We want to make Northern Ireland a hostile environment for traffickers,” she said.
This first phase of the programme will help to equip young people within the Northern Ireland care system to recognise the signs and indicators of human trafficking, supporting them to stay safe and encouraging them to make positive decisions.
It is believed that one in four trafficked children were reported as going missing from care in the UK – this shocking statistic is brought home by one woman’s story, Justine Reilly.
Justine was born in a Magdalene Laundry in Dublin and after years of abuse as a child, she found herself being used as a modern day slave in the sex industry, trafficked by someone who she thought cared about her. Justine will tell her story at the launch and will warn young people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to be aware of how easy it can be to fall into a trap that is often laid by someone close.
Invisible Traffick currently runs a very successful Key Stage 1 and 2 education programme that raises awareness of human trafficking in an age appropriate way and the charity now plans to adapt ‘The Journey’ to be delivered to post primary schools across the province.
Gayle said this hard hitting subject is one that society can no longer turn a blind eye to.
“Invisible Traffick is proud to be at the forefront of raising awareness, educating and empowering to help end human trafficking in our communities,” she added.
For further information, contact Invisible Traffick on 028 9181 9781. Help stop human trafficking by calling the confidential freephone number on 0808 800 8001.