Justice Ministry to Train Key Stakeholders in Combating Human Trafficking

The Justice Ministry plans to train and equip several key stakeholders with the skills to identify incidence of human trafficking.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says up to 1,000 persons per month will be targeted over the next year.

He said they include Justices of the Peace, pastors and teachers, who will also be sensitized about the appropriate interventions.

The Minister said in so doing, “we are hoping that they will, at least, be able to inform the police (where they suspect) there may be some amount of human trafficking (occurring).”

He was addressing the launch of a Trafficking in Persons study and database which was hosted by the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, July 28.

Mr. Chuck said the Government and, by extension, the Ministry will be forthright and vigilant in curtailing the occurrence of human trafficking in Jamaica.

“I have no doubt that we will overcome this problem. We are determined as a Government, and definitely in our Ministry, to remove the pain and agony of (this),” he assured.

The Government has recorded notable progress in this regard. This has been achieved through legislation, among other interventions, which has resulted in four convictions thus far.

Specialized units have also been established in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Additionally, victim management guidelines and a victim protection protocol were developed along with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate data sharing and the creation of standard operating procedures to guide the police, health officials, and other critical first responders.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chuck expressed gratitude to the UNDP and other partners for supporting Jamaica’s fight against human trafficking.

He also lauded the National Taskforce and hailed the progress made in apprehending and convicting perpetrators of the crime.

The launch, which was held under the theme: ‘Circle of Change: Understanding Trafficking, Supporting Victims’, also saw the premiere of the award winning film ‘SOLD’.

It portrays a young girl’s struggle to regain freedom after being trafficked from her village in Nepal to a brothel in India.

The launch formed part of activities marking Trafficking in Persons Week from July 24 to 30, as also World Trafficking in Persons Day on July 30.