Ruhama officially launches Cork-Kerry service in response to the growing demand for supports for victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation

New research published today by Ruhama highlights serious deficiencies in accommodation for victims of human trafficking

National charity Ruhama is officially launching its Cork-Kerry service. This service offers comprehensive supports to women impacted by commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, ensuring that women in remote, rural or isolated circumstances have equal access to supports.

Ruhama’s new research ‘Room for Recovery – Housing Hope After Exploitation’ ─ published on 11th July - highlights significant deficiencies in accommodation for victims of sex trafficking in Ireland and is calling for appropriate, specialist, gender-specific accommodation.

The research finds that by failing to offer victims of these horrific crimes appropriate supported housing and the opportunity to rebuild their lives, Ireland is falling far short of its obligations under binding EU legislation. Safe, appropriate and stable accommodation is a foundational prerequisite for recovery and protection, according to Ruhama.

The research recommends that any new model of accommodation for victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation must explicitly recognise the cumulative harms of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and human trafficking, and facilitate recovery from these harms.

Speaking at the official launch of Ruhama’s Cork-Kerry service today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “Human trafficking for sexual exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes our society is faced with today. The opening of Ruhama’s Cork-Kerry service is a vital step towards providing some of the most vulnerable women in appalling circumstances with the supports, safety and compassion they need to rebuild their lives. The services delivered by Ruhama in this sector and on the frontline with victims are essential as we move forward with the Government’s National Action Plan on Trafficking and our Zero Tolerance strategy for tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and our commitment to improving services and supports for victims.”

Speaking about her experience, a survivor being supported by Ruhama’s Cork-Kerry service, said: “Still, I carried enormous shame, especially after discovering there was footage of my abuse — videos taken without consent, passed around like I was an object. That kind of violation leaves scars deeper than words. It makes you question if you are even human anymore. I wanted to disappear. The new Ruhama Cork-Kerry service will be a place where trauma is named, shame is lifted, and women come home to themselves.”

CEO of Ruhama Barbara Condon said: “We’re delighted to launch the Cork-Kerry service. We know that commercial sexual exploitation is an issue all across Ireland, and women in the South-West deserve better access to help and support on this issue. Ruhama are here to provide it.

“Both the National Action Plan on Trafficking and the Third National Strategy for Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence are crystal clear on the crucial importance of gender-specific specialist accommodation for victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. The continued accommodation of these victims-survivors with their particular vulnerabilities among the general asylum reception and general International Protection Accommodation Service is inhumane and untenable.”