Be Vigilant Against Human Trafficking

Chairman of the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Carol Palmer, is urging Jamaicans to be on alert for signs of human trafficking and report known or suspected cases to the police.

“Persons may identify victims by bruises or any other signs of physical abuse. Victims are often not in control of themselves and appear to be under someone else’s control and are unable to move around any location freely,” Mrs. Palmer told a recent JIS Think Tank.

She said victims often lack identification or immigration documents and live with many persons, usually in a small space.

“They can be found at the massage parlours, bars, escort services, strip and night- clubs, resort and hotel areas, some homes, hair and nail shops, drug sale, restaurants, commercial sex areas, engaged in pornography and forced begging,” she noted.

Mrs. Palmer also advised against persons dealing with the matter on their own.

The NATFATIP Chairman explained that there are three crucial elements that must be identified for a crime to be determined as a trafficking in person’s offence.

“The first element is the act, what is to be done; the second element is the means, how it was done; and the third element is the purpose, why it was done,” she outlined.

Mrs. Palmer also offered tips on how persons can protect themselves against being victims of human trafficking.

She said a big warning sign is the offer of a job for which the potential victim has no skills or qualification, with the promise of a high salary.

“Are you being promised lots of money, a great life and many other tempting gifts? Are you being chosen because you are young, good looking and of a particular gender? Will someone get travel identification and documents for you? Are you being urged to lie? These are the warning signs,” she pointed out.

Human Trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery involving victims, who are typically forced, defrauded or coerced into various forms of exploitation.

Jamaica is observing Trafficking in Persons Week from July 26 to 31.