Top Tweets for #mostVulnerable

𝟑𝟔 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 – 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! Mecpaths, an Irish organization working to prevent child trafficking, is seeking a meeting with Minister Norma Foley to discuss concerns regarding missing children in State care. This follows a Tusla report revealing that 36 children under State care are missing, including 13 categorized as trafficking victims and three missing from “mainstream care.” Some of these children have been missing for over a month. Mecpaths, the only Irish non-profit focused on child trafficking prevention, aims to raise awareness and improve collaboration among professionals. The organization highlighted growing concerns that children and young people in Ireland are being trafficked for sexual exploitation, with networks operating across the country. Tusla follows a joint protocol with An Garda Síochána when children in care go missing, and it has acknowledged the risks of trafficking, particularly for those in residential settings. Reports, including the 2020 Child Sexual Exploitation protocol, emphasize the need for better protections. The meeting request coincides with Care Day, an initiative celebrating the experiences of children in care in Ireland and the UK. Mecpaths hopes the discussion will lead to stronger measures to prevent trafficking and ensure better safeguarding for vulnerable children in State care.