About Us
MECPATHS was established in 2013 by two Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, Srs. Patricia O’ Donovan and Mary Ryan, and has evolved to employ a team with the day-to-day responsibility for operations. It was founded in response to the emergence of Child Trafficking as a growing human rights and social justice issue in Ireland. MECPATHS collaborates closely with private, statutory and non-statutory agencies and organisations working to counter Child Trafficking including An Garda Síochána and The Department of Justice.
MECPATHS works to raise awareness on Child Trafficking and educate frontline and emerging professionals on how to recognise indicators and report their concerns to the authorities.
Childrens Rights
We advocate for a child’s dignity and right to be protected from trafficking for exploitation.
Justice
Recognising every child’s inherent vulnerability, we believe in the right of children to be free from exploitation, which can potentially have a lifelong impact. We uphold their rights by championing the full implementation of international and domestic laws concerning the rights of the child.
Education
We raise awareness of the reality of child trafficking for exploitation in society today to inform and equip individuals and groups with information that promotes responsible action.
Collaboration
We acknowledge that child trafficking for exploitation requires a cohesive approach. To this end, we believe in the power of partnership and networking, sharing of resources and experiences, and openness to deliver a multi-faceted response. We value and actively seek partnership with those supporting and working to counter child trafficking for exploitation.
Compassion
Our work is motivated by our passion for children’s rights and we respond with compassion to the injustice of child trafficking from exploitation.
