Human Trafficking is happening in Ireland, today.
In Ireland, 114 people were identified by An Garda Síochána as potential victims of human trafficking in 2025, representing a 70% increase on the previous year. Victims were identified for a range of exploitation purposes, including sexual exploitation, labour exploitation and criminal exploitation.
In 2022, according to the ILO's report entitled Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, 50 million people were living in situations of modern slavery globally in 2021, of which 28 million were victims of forced labour.
These figures are backed up by the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024, which draws on data from 156 countries and found that the number of detected trafficking victims globally increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022. However, given the hidden nature of this crime, the actual number of victims trafficked is far higher than official figures suggest.
#knowthesigns and help us break the chain
“I worked for two months without pay, just to get my passport back.” — Victim Testimony, Ireland
Anyone: Deceived
Human trafficking is a truly global problem affecting more than 50 million people worldwide. Maria’s and Gheorghe’s stories show how anyone can become a victim
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor raises awareness on the issue of human trafficking
Tom Vaughan-Lawlor describes human trafficking and what we can do if we suspect it.
Joseph, trafficked from North Africa, gave us his best almost 24 hours a day. You can help us break the chain.
Report a concern:
If you are a victim of trafficking, or have a suspicion that some else is, you should contact An Garda Síochána (the Irish Police), who can help or provide advice.
You can report concerns by;
Calling the Garda Confidential Telephone Number:
1800 666 111
Or through e-mailing blueblindfold@garda.ie
For more information please visit blueblindfold.gov.ie
In an emergency call An Garda Síochána on 999/112
All contact is dealt with in the strictest of confidence. While there is no requirement to provide your name or address, we would ask that you provide as much information as you can to enable An Garda Síochána to investigate thoroughly.
In addition to contacting the Gardaí, you can also get assistance from a list of organizations working with victims of human trafficking and other support services
Human Trafficking vs Smuggling
While Human Trafficking and People Smuggling can be linked, there are fundamental differences between the two. The relevant distinction is that being trafficked is involuntary, whereas people smuggling involves the consent of the individual being smuggled.
Human Trafficking is the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them.
People Smuggling involves the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident.
Questions to Ask:
Assuming you have the opportunity to speak with a potential victim privately and without jeopardizing the victim’s safety because the trafficker is watching, here are some sample questions to ask to follow up on the red flags you became alert to:
Can you leave your job if you want to?
Can you come and go as you please?
Have you been hurt or threatened if you tried to leave?
Has your family been threatened?
Do you live with your employer?
Where do you sleep and eat?
Are you in debt to your employer?
Do you have your passport/identification? Who has it?
Our Partners
Blue Blindfold
The Blue Blindfold website is the one stop shop Human Trafficking information and resource site maintained by the Department of Justice and Equality. Here you will find the full list of Support Services for Victims of Human Trafficking including contact details for State, Community and International Organisations who are available to help. To learn more visit blueblindfold.gov.ie
Department of Justice.
Ireland is taking significant steps to combat Human Trafficking and respond to the needs to victims, at home and abroad. The Department oversees The National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking which takes a victim-centred approach and human rights based approach.
IOM - International Organization for Migration, The UN Migration Agency
IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. IOM opened an office in Ireland in 2001 and has been providing assistance to victims of trafficking, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants and refugees through a range of programming. To learn more please visit: ireland.iom.int