Training
'Train the Trainer' Course
The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in association with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) designed and developed a 'Train the Trainers' course entitled 'Tackling Trafficking in Ireland - What can you do?'. This course is directed at staff in Government and Public Sector Organisations. The course is set out in modules. Staff participating in the course will roll out training on human trafficking to all other staff in their organisations. Two courses were held before the end of 2009 and a third course took place in 2010.
Garda Training
The Garda Síochána has placed particular importance on ensuring that its members receive training which will equip them to tackle the phenomenon of human trafficking. A continuous professional development training course entitled ‘Tackling Trafficking in Human Beings: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution’ has been designed by the Garda Síochána, assisted by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The aim of the course is to alert operational personnel within the Garda Síochána to the existence of the phenomenon of trafficking and to empower them to identify potential/suspected victims so as to provide for their wellbeing and to ensure initiation of criminal investigations, where appropriate. These courses also involve a presentation by the HSE on separated children and unaccompanied minors. Members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) United Kingdom Borders Agency and London Metropolitan Police have attended this training and the Head of the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) has presented at almost all of these training courses emphasising the international and cross-border co-operation between police forces. 435 members of the Garda Síochána have completed this training.Training on Human Trafficking including identification has also recently been provided to Senior Investigating Officers.
In addition, all new probationer Gardaí attend, as part of their training a module on the identification of potential/suspected victims of trafficking, and its elements. To date, 2,674 probationer Gardaí have received this training, which will be delivered on an ongoing basis.
Other Training
In the period between July, 2008 and February, 2009 awareness training has also been provided for more than 130 officials who may encounter trafficking victims in the course of their work. The training has been provided by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with input from NGOs, HSE, the GNIB and the AHTU. Among those provided with the training are members of staff from the following organisations:
- Inspectors from the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA),
- Health Services Executive (HSE),
- Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS),
- Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC),
- Victim’s Support Helpline,
- Victims of Crime Office,
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment,
- Children Detention Schools (Irish Youth Justice Service),
- Probation Service,
- Anti-Human Trafficking Unit,
- Private Security Authority (Inspectors),
- Department of Social and Family Affairs (Social Welfare Inspectors).
Awareness raising seminars have been provided to Department of Foreign Affairs staff both in terms of general awareness raising of the issue, but also more particularly in relation to the work of Irish Embassies and Consulates abroad to ensure that they, and local Embassy staff, are aware of the indicators of trafficking particularly among visa applicants. These officers and locally employed staff are uniquely placed in potential source countries, and as such could be said to represent the frontline for the Irish authorities in dealing with visa applicants who may be potential victims and education or employment agencies and facilitators, who may be potential traffickers. Awareness raising has also been provided to staff of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which is responsible for the granting of work permits.
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