As we mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, 2023, The United Nations calls on us to join their global campaign to ensure each victim of Trafficking is reached, that nobody is left behind;

“To end human trafficking, we cannot allow this crime to be met with increasing indifference and impunity. We must strengthen resilience against exploitation and the underlying socio-economic and cultural issues that are conducive to trafficking. We must sensitize everyone to the topic of human trafficking and thus push attention towards those who can make a difference in terms of changing policy and national resource management to strengthen prevention measures, improve identification of victims, increase support of survivors and end impunity” (UN, 2023)

With a growing number of persons caught in worlds of Slavery and Trafficking, an increase of 10 million people in just 5 years, we all remain challenged in reaching the UN Goal of supporting each person around the world. MECPATHS’ work over the past 12 months has extended to meet the growing requests here in Ireland including many from Medical Settings; Hospitals, G.P.’s and Paediatric training schools, from Social Work; Tusla, and across Youth & Community networks, outreach which has been warmly welcomed and celebrated;

“An eye-opening session, which was shared with such compassion and professionalism. A very important and sensitive topic was discussed and explored in an interactive and inclusive manner, allowing the group to consider cases or scenarios that may arise, and reflect on how they may manage these cases going forward. The session challenged our perception of human trafficking and for me the most powerful/chilling message was “hidden in plain sight” (Participant 4, Paediatrics Workshop, 2022).

With upcoming legislative reform in Ireland in relation to the identification of victims of Trafficking and the sharing of responsibility between The HSE, Tusla, The Departments of Justice & Children, The Workplace Relations Commission and Ipas, MECPATHS is grateful to be engaged by The National Child and Family Agency, Tusla, to co-lead their National preparations, Policy and training requirements for Ireland.

2023 marks 10 years of MECPATHS’ work and it has afforded us all a fruitful time to pause, reflect and celebrate the achievements of the project. As we hold the call to ‘Leave Nobody Behind’, we look forward to the projects evolution in the coming years to support this mandate and deepen the already increasing impact. One person cannot do everything but each person can do something: MECPATHS continues to lead through collaboration, participation and partnership and were honoured to be announced as Most Dedicated Child Protection Organisation in The Republic of Ireland for 2023 by The International Non-Profit Awards.

To contact MECPATHS, please click here.

 

JP O’Sullivan
MECPATHS