Newstalk explores modern day slavery, also known as Human Trafficking.

“There is evidence of human trafficking occurring in every village, in every town across the island of Ireland. And I don't think we know exactly how prevalent it is, because it is very much a hidden crime”. 

In the latest radio documentary to be broadcast by Newstalk 106 – 108fm as part of it’s weekly Documentary On Newstalk series, ‘Do Disturb’, Producer Patricia Baker looks at one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises; trafficking of human beings, referred to as modern day slavery. Ireland is not immune to this global catastrophe. Human trafficking is a growing criminal activity and justice issue in Ireland.  The need for public awareness is paramount, and one Irish charity, MECPATHS, has a simple idea, that will open our eyes to this issue.

The radio premiere of ‘Do Disturb’ airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 5th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast airing on Saturday 11th July at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast. 

Lembagai KITA / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Patricia Baker, Producer of 'Do Disturb' says:

Trafficking of human beings, referred to as modern day slavery, is one of our largest humanitarian crises, with over 40 million adults and children enslaved worldwide. Half of these people are sold into the sex trade, the majority of whom are women and children.

Ireland is not immune to this global catastrophe. The annual Trafficking in Persons Report, published recently by the US Department of State, further downgraded Ireland to ‘Tier 2 – watch list”, criticising the country for major failings in its treatment of human trafficking victims. Human trafficking is a growing criminal activity and justice issue here in Ireland.  The need for public awareness is paramount. The statistics are frightening and overwhelming.

How do we respond to such an issue?  An Irish charity MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector) took one small step.  Hotels are known as one of the places where women and children are sex trafficked.  MECPATHS is working with hotel groups to deliver training programmes for hotel staff on the indicators and protocol of reporting child sex trafficking. Do Disturb is about the importance of increasing public awareness and understanding that no matter how overwhelming this global issue is, there is something we can do to bring about change.

Extracts from the ‘Do Disturb':

“When we look at the global number it is estimated that over 40 million people suffer from human trafficking, also referred to as Modern Day Slavery, today.  If we think of the times of the transatlantic slave trade which were shocking times, during the two centuries, there was about 15 million people in slavery. So the problem is worse now.

“If we turn it back to here in Ireland, I have met women who have been trafficked into and within Ireland and used as a commodity.  The people controlling them have often been Irish people, the people using the service have been Irish people. .. We have now turned people into a commodity and that generates income and profit to $150 billon a year”.

Kevin Hyland OBE: Kevin is a renowned international specialist in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. His expertise has been shaped by 30 years experience as an officer in London’s Metropolitan Police Service, notably, as head of the Human Trafficking Unit. In 2014 Kevin was appointed as the UK’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.   In 2015 Kevin was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.), acknowledging his outstanding service in combating human trafficking.

“I know from working overseas that human trafficking and child trafficking is on the rise. It is one of the fastest growing criminal industries is in the world.  I would say that is our number one obstacle to overcome, is to overcome the perceived idea that human and child trafficking is something that happens overseas and not here in Ireland.” Ann Mara, Education Manager, MECPATHS

 “Interfere.  Get stuck in there, be the noisy ol’ one.  That would have made a difference in my case.  If one person had stood up for me and said ‘this child matters enough to be removed from a situation where she is being abused on a daily basis’.  That would have changed my life immeasurably. And it never happened.  And people knew.”  Hazel Larkin, Writer, teacher, activist.

CREDITS: ‘Do Disturb’ is a Curious Broadcast production funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland with the Television License Fee. It was narrated and produced by Patricia Baker, with edit and final mix by Gerry Horan at Contact Studio. Music by Úna Keane.

Sound and Vision Scheme: Sound and Vision is a funding scheme for television and radio that provides funding in support of high quality programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience, and programmes to improve adult literacy. The scheme is managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

BROADCAST: The radio premiere of ‘Do Disturb’  airs on Newstalk 106-108fm on Sunday 5th July at 7am, with a repeat broadcast airing on Saturday 11th July at 9pm. Podcast goes live after first broadcast. 

PODCAST: ‘Do Disturb’ is broadcast as part of the Documentary and Drama On Newstalk Series, which showcases the best of original, homegrown and groundbreaking Irish Radio features. Podcast full series here:

 https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/page/1/filter?filter_selected=show-filter&show=documentary-drama-newstalk&series=all

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