Protect Project

OVERVIEW

The PROTECT project is funded by the Department of Justice to assist vulnerable migrants particularly victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and victims of human trafficking.

Activities under the PROTECT project include capacity building trainings for State agencies and NGOs in cultural competency and counter-trafficking, cultural mediation services, counter-trafficking public awareness campaigns and research on counter-trafficking and community policing.

1. COUNTER TRAFFICKING

In Ireland from 2015 to 2022, some 409 persons were identified as victims of trafficking in Ireland.

In 2022, according to the ILO’s recent report entitled Global Estimates Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage 50 million people are living in situations of modern slavery, of which 28 million are victims of forced labour.

Under the PROTECT project, a public awareness campaign was conducted which included the production of a short film Anyone: Deceived which was launched on EU Anti-Trafficking Day 2022. This was supported by a social media campaign and the Anyone Trafficked campaign website developed in partnership with the Department of Justice.

In addition to the delivery of specialised counter-trafficking training workshops, IOM was also involved in a study trip to Brazil with members of An Garda Siochana and staff of the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions with an additional study trip planned.

IOM Ireland, in conjunction with IOM UK, has also produced research on human trafficking on the island of Ireland which is due to be launched on EU Anti-Trafficking Day 2023.

Watch Anyone: Deceived Official Video Here

2. COMMUNITY POLICING

IOM Ireland commissioned research intocommunity policing of migrant communities inparticular those with experience of sufferingDSGBV
This research assessed levels of mutual trustbetween these communities and An GardaSiochana.
The aim of the research was to enhancemutual knowledge and improve existingrelationships and ultimately to improvereporting of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence by migrant victims.
This work complements Department of Justicepolice in this area under the Third NationalStrategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 and feed into thework of the new State agency to beestablished in January 2024. This research isdue to be launched at a community policingconference in November 2023. The researchhas also led to the commissioning of additionalresearch to assess community policing ofmigrant communities in the border areabetween Ireland and Northern Ireland.

3. CULTURAL MEDIATION

IOM Ireland established a cultural mediationservice to assist vulnerable migrants who mayhave difficulty accessing services and needsupport.
Our cultural mediators come from a range ofdifferent backgrounds and nationalities.
Their function is to bridge the gap betweenIrish service providers and migrant and ethnicminority service users.
The service is free to use and, in addition tovulnerable migrants, is available to any State ornon-State agency working with vulnerablemigrants.

4. CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING

In 2021, IOM Ireland developed, with externalconsultants, capacity-building training incultural competency and understanding.
This training, delivered in person and online, isaimed at State and other frontline serviceproviders to assist them when dealing withmigrants and ethnic minorities.
This training covers the following topics:stereotypes and culture, working with culturalmediators, interpreters, and advocates, an overview of migration and ethnic minorities,barriers to service provision andaccess,discrimination and racism, andaddressing bias.
The training is soon to be available free ofcharge on IOM’s platform E-Campus.