Victims forced into sexual exploitation within 24 hours of arriving in Ireland, gardaí say
Gardaí in Ireland report that human traffickers are increasingly targeting vulnerable young women from Latin America, particularly Brazil, through church groups and social media. Victims are often coerced into sexual exploitation within 24 hours of arrival, with authorities warning that AI may soon be used to accelerate recruitment.
Why it matters
This highlights the evolving tactics of international organized crime syndicates and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation to protect vulnerable populations from modern slavery.
Young, vulnerable females, aged from 18 to 26, are often the targets of traffickers who then exploit them for sex.
Women are being targeted in church groups in Latin America and trafficked to Ireland for sexual exploitation.
Brazil is now the most active country in human trafficking in Ireland according to Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau which leads investigations into human trafficking and prostitution.
Victims of trafficking are often promised a better life abroad but within 24 hours of arriving in Ireland they are forced to sell sex.
Traffickers set targets, forcing women to perform sexual services for up to 12 men a day.
“Some South American countries are quite religious, and we have seen instances of trafficking where people are recruited or befriended through church groups,” Det Supt Maguire, said.
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