To ask the Minister of Justice to outline the barriers to identifying modern slavery and human trafficking in the context of child criminal exploitation.

ORAL QUESTION No 14 - AQO 2226/22-27 – WITHDRAWN

ANSWER

On 11th June, my Department launched the findings of our co-commissioned research project examining barriers to recognising Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) as a form of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT) in Northern Ireland.

The report highlights that, despite increasing awareness, formal identification through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) remains limited. It points to Northern Ireland’s unique social and political context, where harm linked to paramilitary and organised crime is often normalised, which presents a significant challenge in recognising exploitation among victims, families, and professionals. It also notes that practitioners may lack confidence in using the NRM, particularly where child protection systems already exist, and that safety concerns further deter referrals. The report suggests that the current definition of trafficking, with its emphasis on movement, may not fully reflect the nature of CCE in this context.

My Department acknowledges these findings and will carefully consider the recommendations as part of our ongoing work to strengthen the response to CCE.