Users of social media & the dating platform, Tinder, are being confronted with the reality of sex trafficking through a ground breaking campaign by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, developed by digital advertising agency, eightytwenty (part of the Havas network). This is one of the first campaigns globally of this nature on Tinder.
A large number of profiles on the dating app, Tinder, were created to show example stories of victims of sex trafficking. The profiles feature pictures of girls, which with every swipe illustrate the impact of sex trafficking, ending with messages related to the issues they face. These profiles have so far been very well received by users of Tinder, with a large number of comments from users who are shocked upon hearing about the realities of sex trafficking in a modern society.
Cathal Gillen of eightytwenty:
“This is one of the first campaigns globally of this nature on Tinder. Tinder has become an extremely popular app, and it provides us with a unique, innovative and stand out way of communicating to men the issues faced by women involved in sex trafficking.”
Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, added:
“Sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative crimes with the sums involved on a par with those for drug smuggling and gun running, yet many people are not aware that it is a reality in communities right across Ireland.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is committed to using every possible opportunity to increase awareness about the activities of the thugs behind these crimes and the impact on their victims.
As a frontline agency, we have supported 60 women who were brought here to be sexually exploited while Senior Gardaí confirm that Irish prostitution is run by foreign and domestic criminal gangs in a trade thought to net over €200m a year. It is important that men of all ages who buy sex are made aware of the consequences of their actions.
We are delighted to partner with the team at eightytwenty to bring this important message to an audience which is difficult to reach through traditional media.”