Human trafficking is a “catastrophic” problem that is being “hidden in plain sight online”, a Stormont inquiry has found.
The investigation into “pimping websites” in Northern Ireland was prompted by growing concerns about the exploitation of trafficked and vulnerable women on online platforms.
The All-Party Group (APG) on Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation is due to release its inquiry report on Tuesday.
The report said such sites allowed criminal gangs to manage multiple profiles and conceal abuse behind the pretence of the women being independent.
It said 95% of women and girls trafficked were “brought for the purpose of sexual exploitation”.
The APG inquiry looked at four main websites that advertise women for sexual services across Northern Ireland – Locanto, Adult Works, Viva Street and Escort Ireland.
The websites are publicly available and people will select women and make contact usually through the website, WhatsApp or Telegram.
The women are listed as “independent escorts” offering an extensive list of services. However, the reality is much different, the report found.
Victim A was forced into prostitution at 19 and advertised online. She said the sites were not neutral platforms.
“They provide the infrastructure through which sexual exploitation can be organised, marketed and monetised,” she said.
“You have the websites but they bring the people from online actively looking for girls, our customer base knew that we were either being drugged before the appointment so that we were completely incoherent, you could not say yes or no, your body is paralysed, that’s not said online.”
Another survivor was managed by a man who controlled the profiles of multiple women trafficked from Brazil.
“None of us had access to the emails from buyers. They came directly through him, he answered as if he was us.”
The report also states the National Crime Agency has identified websites advertising prostitution as “significant enablers of trafficking and sexual exploitation”.