Campaigns 
Dignity
Friday, 03 September 2010
ICI Chief Executive Denise Charlton delivers a presentation on the Dignity Project to elected representatives at the Mansion House, Dublin, in May 2010.
The Dignity Project was a joint initiative of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Dublin Employment Pact (see www.dublinpact.ie/). It was funded by the EU’s Daphne programme, which funds projects aimed at combating violence against children, young people, women and groups at risk, with transnational partners in Ireland, Lithuania, Scotland and Spain.
The Dignity initiative led to the creation of a consortium of statutory and NGO partners working together to deliver quality services for victims of sex-trafficking in Ireland. The partners are documenting good practices identified in each country in relation to services provided to victims of trafficking. The aim of the programme is to draw up a plan to replicate these models, providing an integrated, holistic, victim-centred approach.
The Irish partners in the project were: the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Dublin Employment Pact, Baggot Street Women’s Health Project (HSE), Sonas Housing, the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the National Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Department of Justice and Law Reform.
On February 7, 2011, the Dignity Project partners hosted their concluding conference, at which the overall evaluation of the project was presented. Please find a pdf version of the evaluation documents here:
The conference discussed how a prohibition on the purchase of sex, such as that operating in Sweden, can significantly reduce sex trafficking and prostitution. Speakers included the National Coordinator Against Prostitution and Trafficking in Sweden, Patrik Cederlöf, and Head of Equality and Women's Services in Glasgow, Ann Hamilton. Mr Cederlöf detailed how a combination of a legislative ban on the sale of sex, coupled with better supports for trafficked women and those involved in prostitution, has changed the landscape of the sex industry in Sweden, while Ms Hamilton spoke about how a system of information sharing and supports for trafficked women has paved the way for speedy prosecutions in Scotland.
Other speakers at the conference included Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Barbara Nolan; Proinsias de Rossa, MEP; Senator Fiona O'Malley and Colette de Troy of the European Women's Lobby Observatory on Violence Against Women. The event was formally opened by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Gerry Breen.
Agenda: Final Dignity Project Conference - February 7, 2011
Press release: Final Dignity Project Conference - February 7, 2011
Campaign activities and materials: