The first-of-its-kind research study was led jointly by Ulster University and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the United Kingdom and co-funded by Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice and the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) at the University of Oxford.

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is widely recognised across the UK as a form of modern slavery, with over 11,000 children referred to the UK-wide national referral mechanism (NRM) since 2014.

However, until the end of 2024, no UK or Irish male child had ever been referred to the NRM for criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland. 

The research report calls for urgent policy changes both for the UK and Northern Ireland governments which recognise the post-conflict context, alongside increased investment in frontline capacity and tailored referral processes.

Dr Gillian Kane, co-author of the report and lecturer in law at Ulster University, said: “This research has shed light on some of the barriers to identifying modern slavery and human trafficking in the context of child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland.

“Possible concrete actions to remove them include ensuring a legal duty to identify in Northern Ireland’s human trafficking legislation, and amending the statutory definition of human trafficking to more accurately reflect international law.”

Andrew Chisholm, senior project associate and Northern Ireland lead at IOM UK, and research co-lead, added: “Our research uncovered stark gaps in the available data on child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland.

“The absence of referrals to the NRM until the end of 2024 contrasts sharply with what frontline professionals are reporting and in comparison, with the rest of the UK.

“The evidence produced by this research, for the first time, has captured the extent of this issue in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking, which can now be used to design an effective policy and service response.”

Welcoming the report, justice minister Naomi Long said: “I am pleased that my Department commissioned this important research and welcome the publication of this report, which has highlighted some of the barriers to recognising and identifying modern slavery and human trafficking in the context of child criminal exploitation in Northern Ireland. 

“Child criminal exploitation is a complex form of child abuse and the Department is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to raise awareness and to protect children at risk of exploitation.

“We will now take the time to consider the recommendations as part of the ongoing cross-government actions to address child criminal exploitation.”