Jamaicans Urged To Fight Against Human

Trafficking
JUSTICE

JANUARY 31, 2014

WRITTEN BY: SHELLY-ANN IRVING

Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force, Deputy Superintendent Carl
Berry, has appealed to Jamaicans to develop a culture that is hostile towards human
trafficking.

Speaking at an Anti-Human Trafficking forum, held at Trench Town Comprehensive

High School recently, he told the students that human trafficking is not a crime
confined to Kingston, but that the entire country is vulnerable.

“A significant feature of human trafficking is the promise of jobs, opportunities for

school and a better life, usually in a foreign country. The traffickers want you for
forced sexual exploitation, labour and pornographic movies,” Mr. Berry said.

He pointed out that gunmen and gangsters have increased their involvement in
human trafficking, as they thrive off poverty and off people who are generally in
search of a ‘better life’.

“I can assure you that the Organized Crime Investigation Division, the National Task
Force Against Trafficking in Persons and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will
not stop until everyone is sensitized about human trafficking and all victims are
rescued,” DSP Berry emphasised.

The Taskforce Head said that human trafficking is the most under reported crime in
the world; therefore it is important for every citizen to be sensitized in order to
develop a hostile culture towards the crime.

He told the students that the different social media platforms are used to lure
persons into the crime, and warned them about the ills of sharing their personal
information online.

Meanwhile, Chairperson for the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
(NATAFATIP) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, said
the most effective strategy against human trafficking is to know about it, and pointed
out that the first case was solved because of the public education campaign.

Mrs. Palmer informed the students of some practical questions to ask in the event
they suspect that they are likely to be lured into the human trafficking ring.

“Ask yourself these questions; how did I get a visa and I did not attend a visa
interview? How am I being offered so much money for very minimal work? We have
to think, so don’t let sweet talk and nice things capture you,” the Permanent
Secretary warned.
Principal for Trench Town Comprehensive High School, Susan Bloomfield, told JIS
News that the forum was quite useful.

“Most of our students are from the inner-city and are from low-socio economic
backgrounds. We find that these are the students who are targeted by traffickers,
because they are in economic need and some of them have parents who expect
them to provide for themselves,” she said.

The principal argued that the information given at the forum is necessary and will
help her students to make informed decisions.

The forum was held in collaboration with NATAFATIP and the Kiwanis Club of New
Kingston as they seek to provide opportunities for continuous education, raise
awareness of trafficking in persons (TIP) as well as its impact on communities.
Gov’t Stands Firm in Its Resolve to Protect
Citizens from Human Trafficking
EDUCATION

FEBRUARY 25, 2018

WRITTEN BY: ALECIA SMITH

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the
Government stands firmly in its resolve to protect persons, especially children from
human trafficking.

“We collectively stand together to eliminate and protect them (children) from the
threat of human trafficking; to protect and provide remedies for those who have been
victims; and to ensure we have legislation in place to prevent future cases,” he said.

Mr. Reid was making his contribution to the debate on the Trafficking in Persons
(Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) (Amendment) Act, 2018, in the Senate
on Friday (Feb. 23).

The Minister noted that the passage of the amended TIP Act, will send a clear
message to traffickers that the Government is unwavering in its commitment to
protecting the nation’s children against such ills.

“We stand together to ensure that this legislation is implemented and we will let the
perpetrators of these crimes know that we are unapologetically and fervently serious
about our fight against trafficking in persons, especially our children,” he asserted.

Senator Reid further noted that “collectively, with one voice, we should encourage
(a) change in our culture,” where speaking out is not frowned upon, but encouraged.

“We need more persons willing to give honest testimonies to help rid the streets of
perpetuators of these vicious crimes and provide a safe environment for our women,
children, as well as men who are also victims of trafficking,” he said.

In his contribution to the debate, State Minister for National Security, Hon. Pearnel
Charles Jr, also concurred that persons need to speak out on these matters, noting
that it is important for every Jamaican to play a role in supporting and protecting
victims of human trafficking.

“When we see or hear things taking place, it is time for us to start speaking out… No
National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons, no Jamaica Constabulary Force
(JCF) unit alone can solve this problem. The country must stand together in making
this a priority,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Senator Charles Jr said significant strides have been made in

strengthening the Government’s capacity to detect and combat trafficking in persons.
These include adopting the Trafficking in Persons Prevention, Suppression and
Punishment Act; establishing the Anti-trafficking in Persons Task Force; establishing
the Anti-trafficking in Persons Unit in the JCF; appointing a National Trafficking in
Persons Rapporteur; developing a National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in
Persons; developing manuals to support training on trafficking in persons within the
justice system; and implementing public education campaigns.

He added that the country maintaining tier two, in the 2017 Trafficking in Persons
Report by the US Department of State, makes a clear statement that the
Government demonstrated increased efforts in addressing the issue compared to
previous reporting periods.

Tier two refers to those countries whose Government do not fully meet the US
Trafficking Victims Protection Act minimum standards, but are making significant
efforts to comply.

For her part, Opposition Senator Sophia Fraser Binns, said she was pleased to see
that efforts are being made to combat trafficking in persons, noting that she gives her
support to any legislation that not only protects children, “but sends a message to
perpetrators that as a country we are serious about protecting our children”.

Amendments to the TIP Act were drafted based on the multiple issues faced in
prosecuting cases which may involve criminal networks and gangs which expose
jurors and witnesses in these matters to a high risk of intimidation.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) therefore recommended

that trafficking offences under section four of the TIP Act, should be tried before a
judge alone in the circuit court.

Additionally, a section of the Bill was amended to empower a judge to order that
restitution awarded may be enforced by the victim or by the prosecution on the
victim’s behalf, similar to a judgment in a civil matter.

The amended Act further makes provision to empower the Minister to make
regulations to better carry out the restitution orders.

The Senate also approved the companion Bill, the Child Care and Protection
(Amendment) Act, 2018, which will allow for an increase in the penalty from 10 years
to 20 years for the sale or trafficking of children.

This will bring the Child Care and Protection Act in line with the penalty under the
TIP Act, which was increased when the Act was amended in 2013.