Irish psychologists have established a new charity to help prevent child trafficking for sexual exploitation in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos.
The Children's Organisation of Southeast Asia (Cosa) is a non-profit organisation founded by a number of people including Dr Gregor Lange, a clinical psychologist with the Health Service Executive (HSE) whose work here has involved providing therapy to abused or neglected children and their families.
Dr Lange said the drive to establish the group followed a visit to Asia in which the inability of many non-governmental groups to provide counselling or emotional support to victims of trafficking became apparent.
The global human trafficking industry is estimated to be worth around $9 billion (€7.5 billion) a year and is focused predominantly in areas such as Asia, South America and Africa.
As well as providing counselling and emotional support, the charity aims to provide funding for education scholarships for children who may be at risk of trafficking. Dr Lange said some families were happy to hand their children over to traffickers in the mistaken belief they would be involved in work such as housework or other employment.
The charity aims to educate staff working in non-governmental organisations across Asia to the needs of children who are victims of trafficking.
"We are sending over our own staff and volunteers to do frontline training, to empower staff and give them the skills and knowledge they need. We're also focusing on preventative work by providing education grants to young people at risk," he said.
The skills involve basic counselling, play therapy and interviewing skills. Dr Lange said they had received an "amazing and tremendously positive" reaction from staff who have undergone training so far.
The group aims to provide services to 50 children initially and plans to train 100 staff. This figure will rise, Dr Lange said, as the group develops.
Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay yesterday officially launched the charity at the Mansion House in Dublin.
- For further information visit www.childrensorg.com