Ruhama, the Dublin-based NGO which works nationally with women affected by prostitution and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation, launched its 2013 Annual Report this week.

In 2013 Ruhama provided assistance to more than 300 women, representing an increase of 18% since the previous year.

The organisation has assisted over 2,500 women affected by prostitution from over 60 different countries during its 25 years in existence.

Speaking at the launch, Sarah Benson, CEO, Ruhama said: “It is quite remarkable to see the number of women assisted by Ruhama and the range of nationalities which is indicative of the globalised sex trade which now exists in Ireland. I am also struck by the many changes which have taken place in the Irish sex trade, particularly how it has become increasingly organised by criminal gangs and adapted to the use of modern telecommunications to operate.

“Yet, among all those changes, some things have not changed fundamentally - there is still the persistence of harm, exploitation and risk which has always, and which continues to pervade the sex trade” she said.

There was an increase of 29% in the number of women (219) accessing Ruhama’s Casework, which involves designing a person-centred care. The number of women accessing the service has increased by 17% since 2012. Ruhama’s street outreach service assisted 70 women in 2013.

Immigrant Council campaigns on Tinder

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has launched a new campaign on the dating app, Tinder, to create awareness about sex trafficking in Ireland. It’s one of the first campaigns of its kind on Tinder, designed to raises awareness about the crimes behind sex trafficking and prostitution.

The campaign uses Tinder profiles to tell stories about victims of trafficking.

IMPACT, together with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and other organisations, has supported the Turn Off the Red Light campaign to end prostitution and sex trafficking in Ireland.