ASYLUM seekers comprise just 1% of the population in Galway, yet they make up 20% of rape and abuse victims being seen by the Galway Rape Crisis Centre, according to shocking new figures.

Many women and children are being approached for sex outside local asylum accommodation centres or being lured into prostitution with false promises of work.

Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames said she was horrified by the statistic and warned that any person in a direct provision centre (accommodation centres for asylum seekers) is a potential victim. She has demanded that asylum seekers be afforded more protection by the State, and vowed to raise the issue in the Seanad next week.

Senator Healy Eames said she was so shocked by the news that she will be seeking urgent meetings with the Ministers for Justice, Health and Children.

“There is evidence from the Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC) that women and teenage asylum seekers are being raped and are coming in for counselling.

“Women and children are being approached outside hostels and direct provision accommodation centres for prostitution. The traffickers know where they are and they know who are vulnerable because they’re broke, so they approach them with the promise that they can get them work and somewhere nice to live.

“But the reality is that they can be forced into prostitution, raped, abused, anything. Asylum seekers make up 1% of Galway’s population, by the GRCC figures show that 20% of their clients being raped or abused are asylum seekers. I am shocked. That’s outrageous, and it’s going on in Galway now,” Senator Healy Eames said at the unveiling of details for the GRCC’s conference, which takes place next month.

She warned that...