A first of its kind research study found that children in Northern Ireland exploited by paramilitaries and organised crime groups are not being formally identified as victims of modern slavery and human trafficking – despite indications that they may meet the criteria.
The study, led jointly by Ulster University and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the United Kingdom, was co-funded by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) at the University of Oxford.
Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is widely recognised across the UK as a form of modern slavery, with over 11,000 British children referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM, a UK-wide mechanism designed to respond to potential cases of modern slavery) in England, Scotland and Wales since 2014. However, until the end 2024, no UK or Irish male child had ever been referred to the NRM for criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland.
Nearly all research respondents – 98% - said they encountered cases of criminal exploitation in the context of drugs, whilst 79% noted the context of paramilitary activity, anti-social behaviour (70%), forced shoplifting (30%) and money laundering (26%).
The report notes that in Northern Ireland’s post-conflict setting, paramilitaries and organised criminal groups still exert significant control over some communities, perpetuating harm that happens within local communities, and even within families. This contributes to the fact that harm is often normalised and overlooked - even by those directly affected.
Some research respondents expressed safety concerns about formally identifying children through the NRM, including fear of reprisals against children and those reporting exploitation, pointing to the need of adapting the NRM processes to the local context.
Other barriers include the fact that a legal duty to identify potential victims of modern slavery is not yet in force in Northern Ireland, and that there’s a focus on travel within the statutory definition of human trafficking, which doesn’t reflect the often very local nature of exploitation.
The research calls for urgent policy changes both for the UK and Northern Ireland governments that recognise the post-conflict context of Northern Ireland, alongside increased investment in frontline capacity and tailored referral processes.
Dr Gillian Kane from the Ulster University said: “This research has shed light on some of the barriers to identifying modern slavery and human trafficking in the context of child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland. Possible concrete actions to remove them include ensuring a legal duty to identify in Northern Ireland’s human trafficking legislation, and amending the statutory definition of human trafficking to more accurately reflect international law."
Andrew Chisholm from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the United Kingdom said: "Our research uncovered stark gaps in the available data on child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland. The absence of referrals to the NRM until the end of 2024 contrasts sharply with what frontline professionals are reporting and in comparison, with the rest of the UK. The evidence produced by this research, for the first time, has captured the extent of this issue in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking, which can now be used to design an effective policy and service response."
Northern Ireland Minister of Justice Naomi Long, who co-commissioned the study, said: “I am pleased that my Department commissioned this important research and welcome the publication of this report, which has highlighted some of the barriers to recognising and identifying modern slavery and human trafficking in the context of child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland. Child criminal exploitation is a complex form of child abuse and the department is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to raise awareness and to protect children at risk of exploitation. We will now take the time to consider the recommendations as part of the ongoing cross-government actions to address child criminal exploitation.”
Professor Paul Seawright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, who is closing the launch event at the University’s Belfast campus, said: "At Ulster University, we are committed to research that serves the needs of our society, especially our most vulnerable. This work shines a stark light on a hidden issue – one that demands urgent and informed action. We are proud to have hosted this important discussion and to support research that challenges policy blind spots and works toward better protection for children in our communities."
Jakub Sobik from the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre at the University of Oxford, which co-commissioned the study said: “We’re proud to have commissioned this novel research. We hope it kickstarts a conversation that’s needed to implement holistic changes effectively protecting children from exploitation with the local realities at its heart.”
