IOM has welcomed the launch of the first
information campaign in Ireland today to raise awareness of human
trafficking in the country.

The campaign is focused around a poster which
is available in five languages - Russian, Romanian, Portuguese,
French and Chinese - and which features a freephone number which
victims can call for assistance. They will then be referred to an
appropriate agency including the police and the IOM office in
Dublin. The campaign will target high visibility areas such as
nightclubs, airports, bus and train stations.

Diane Grammer, IOM’s chief of Mission in
Ireland, said: "It is important to understand that people are being
trafficked to Ireland. The victims of trafficking are often
promised jobs and money, and then forced into prostitution. It is
important that any victims of trafficking in Ireland, and the
people who may come in contact with them, are made aware that
assistance is available."

Over the past four years, IOM has assisted a
number of cases in which there have been indications of trafficking
to Ireland from countries including Romania, Moldova, Croatia,
Brazil, Nigeria, Zambia and DR Congo, some of whom reported being
moved between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The campaign will be facilitated by
Crimestoppers, a registered charity that allows people to report
crime without fear of reprisal. It is supported by the Department
of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Garda Siochana and IOM and
is sponsored by several private companies. It comes prior to the
approval of the Immigration and Residence Bill, which will
strengthen legislation protecting victims of trafficking and as
well as efforts to prosecute traffickers.

For further information, please contact:

Ryan Nelson

IOM Dublin

Tel: 353 1 8787900

E-mail: "mailto:info@iomdublin.org" target="_blank" title=
"">info@iomdublin.org