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	The Immigrant Council of Ireland said better protection measures must be put in place for victims of human trafficking.</p>
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	The Council has today published a submission to Government, calling for a legal framework and compensation to be established for those exploited by traffickers.</p>
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	Recent figures provided to the US Department of State by Ireland showed at least 46 people, including 13 children, were brought into the country by trafficking gangs last year.</p>
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	The majority of those identified had been sexually violated.</p>
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	Communications and Advocacy spokesperson for the Immigrant Council, Jerry O&#39; Connor, said victims of trafficking should be treated with respect, and not as criminals.</p>
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	&quot;We want to see measures put in place to ensure that victims are given early access to legal representation - that their rights are protected, and that they&#39;re not treated as being a party of a crime,&quot; he said.</p>
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	He said a national action plan to combat trafficking would ensure a &quot;robust&quot; response to the problem, and send a message to organised crime that Ireland is not a &quot;soft target&quot; for exploitation.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/calls-for-greater-protection-for-victims-of-human-trafficking-689473.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/calls-for-greater-protection-for-victims-of-human-trafficking-689473.html</a></p>
