Immigrant women forced into sex trade in Ireland
A new study by the Immigrant Council of Ireland finds that hundreds of girls and young women have been trafficked into Ireland and forced to work as prostitutes.
In a report out today, the council says hundreds of women are working in prostitution in Ireland and the industry is worth at least €180m every year.
It says around 90% of prostitutes are immigrants, most of whom are being held against their will.
Speaking at the launch of the report, Labour Party justice spokesperson Pat Rabbitte said the figures flew in the face of official claims that sex trafficking was not a major problem in Ireland.
Irish organisations report that, in the past two years, they have assisted 102 victims of human trafficking.
Last month, the Northern Ireland government launched a new programme to rescue and support human trafficking victims.