Human Trafficking primarily refers to the exploitation of people through forced prostitution and labour. In 2011, it was estimated that there were between 12.3 million and 27 million trafficked individuals worldwide.

In Northern Ireland alone the PSNI estimate that there are at least 88 brothels, in which around half a million pounds is spent every week. It is estimated that there are 170-180 people available to be bought and sold for sex at any one time in NI, an unknown percentage of which are victims of sex trafficking. They are forced, they do not receive any money for what they do. They are trapped. This is rape for profit.

We are creating this petition to the All Party Group in order to create mass awareness and put to a stop to human trafficking in Northern Ireland.

The petition pressures the All Party Group on Human Trafficking to:

1) Encourage the NI Assembly to educate and empower people about their rights, specifically the right not to be exploited through trafficking.

2) Aid in the facilitation of a forum for Politicians, Statutory Groups, Non-Statutory Groups, NGO's and the PSNI to work together in developing new strategies and collating information.

3) Assist David Ford MLA (Minister of Justice) and the Justice Ministry in creating new legislation to make it easier to secure succesful convictions against traffickers.

4) Ensure the list of 12 recommendations [Section 8] from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commision for Northern Ireland (2010) are fully implemented.