“They never self-identify”: Victims of Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation, the Island of Ireland

Official statistics for trafficking in human beings (THB) for sexual exploitation in Ireland and Northern Ireland are conservative. It is likely that they are under-estimating the number of people who actually meet the criteria for THB set forth by the United Nations, known as the Palermo Protocol. Based on a mixed methods research project which included interviews and survey data from non-governmental and governmental organisations that work with victims of sex trafficking, this chapter will provide descriptive statistics on victims of sex trafficking describing their trafficking and sexual exploitation and an overview of reasons why people who meet these criteria are not in the Irish or British National Referral Mechanisms (NRM), the package of official services available to victims of trafficking. First, structural issues which impact the designation of someone officially as a victim of sex trafficking—and which could make someone reticent to enter or to recommend entrance into the NRM—will be discussed. Then types of victims who may be less likely to be recognised or to self-identify will be presented, including those belonging to “cultures of silence” and “undeserving” victims. Finally, the chapter will conclude with recommendations for policy changes which could make the NRM more inclusive.