Raped and exploited victims of human trafficking should be immediately removed from direct provision centres after this week’s Working Group report identified the dangers they face.

That’s according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), which is calling on the Government to take immediate action and move suspected victims of sex traffickers to safe accommodation to avoid unwanted sexual advances and other abuses.

“The primary concern raised by the Working Group in its report this week regarding victims of human trafficking is the use of mixed-sex shared accommodation which leaves people open to further abuse, exploitation and in the case of those who have been sexually exploited a return to prostitution,” said ICI chief executive Brian Killoran.

“Victims’ testimony of sexual advances, on one occasion in a bedroom, and claims that complaints are met with ‘hostility’ by Centre Management underline the need for immediate action.”

Killoran added that “the ICI, together with partners Focus Ireland, Sonas Housing and immigration support service Nasc, already have a proposal before Government to provide alternative safe accommodation for victims and we are calling for it to be implemented with urgency.”

ICI anti-trafficking co-ordinator Nusha Yonkova said the Working Group “is to be commended not only for highlighting the need for safe accommodation but also for once again drawing attention to failures in the early identification of victims and proper training for staff.

“Unfortunately, many of its findings make for familiar reading - as they have in the past also been highlighted by international bodies including the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the US State Department.”

Yonkova said the ICI “remains committed to working with all frontline agencies and with politicians to ensure the swift delivery” of its goals for Government, which include safe accommodation for victims of trafficking; publishing the long-awaited National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking; appointing an independent national rapporteur to tackle sex trafficking; and introducing promised sex buyer laws to end the demand for trafficking.