JCF Sounds Alarm on Expanding Human Trafficking Risks Across Jamaica

Human trafficking is a hidden crime that often preys on the society’s most vulnerable.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) warns that it continues to evolve, affecting both adults and children.

Detective Inspector Kimesha Gordon of the JCF’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad emphasises that the evolving nature of human trafficking demands vigilance from both law enforcement and the wider public, reiterating the unit’s role.

“Our mandate… requires us to investigate instances of trafficking in persons in Jamaica, coordinate police anti-trafficking activities islandwide, and liaise with local entities to provide training and sensitisation on trafficking in persons to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the wider public,” she tells JIS News.

According to Inspector Gordon, human trafficking in Jamaica is most commonly associated with sexual exploitation, though other forms exist.

“The form of human trafficking is determined by the type of exploitation. Sex trafficking is the most common form of exploitation, particularly for women and minor girls that we are seeing here in Jamaica. However, we have also seen labour exploitation, domestic servitude as well as forced begging,” she informed.

Inspector Gordon tells JIS News that human trafficking is not confined to any single parish.

“Our records show that trafficking here occurs across almost every parish. However, there are sectors that are of particular concern, such as those that are involved with adult entertainment, and, of course, the sex trade,” she discloses.

The policewoman highlights the close link between prostitution and human trafficking, noting that known hotspots are areas of concern. Exotic clubs, ‘go-go’ establishments, and massage parlours are among the venues under close surveillance by the authorities.

She notes that while concerns exist, it’s uncommon to find minors in massage parlours or exotic clubs.

“It’s predominantly adults that will be identified in those places. Whenever we do our operations and we carry out our checks at these locations, it is very, very rare that we find a child at one of these locations,” Inspector Gordon indicates.

Despite this, the threat to children remains very real. According to the officer, data show that Jamaican children continue to be targeted for exploitation, with new trends emerging—among them, the exploitation of runaway children. Many who flee difficult home environments are vulnerable to traffickers.

“Runaway youth are increasingly appearing on the radar as victims or suspected victims of trafficking. They are often exploited due to their vulnerability and lack of support system,” she explains.

Inspector Gordon reveals that children are sometimes lured into performing as ‘promotional dancers’ in clubs and bars—settings where exploitation can quickly escalate into trafficking.

The JCF has also uncovered troubling cases of children being illegally employed in adult establishments.

“We are seeing a noticeable uptick in child labour violation, particularly with children being unlawfully employed as bartenders in bars and other adult-oriented establishments. When we engage with these children, we are told that they were told to lie about their age,” Inspector Gordon says.

She adds that: “These bar owners are allegedly employing the children… knowing that they are children, to be bartenders, and these are offenses that are akin to trafficking and could easily become a trafficking case.”

Regarding runaway children, Inspector Gordon explains how the cycle of abuse and exploitation continues.

“What they find is that, they left home thinking that home is the worst place to be and they have ‘friends’ who will be looking out for them. But when they go to stay with these ‘friends’, they find that their ‘friends’ are seeking to make money off of them by sexually exploiting them,” she says.

The Inspector adds that traffickers often exploit living arrangements, coercing minors into providing sexual services in exchange for food or shelter.

“Sometimes they may not bring the [‘client’] to the home, but they may arrange for the child to go to this person’s home, where they have to provide the sexual services and money is paid over to the person making the arrangements,” she explains.

This cycle of exploitation often traps multiple victims in the same space, the officer points out.

“Sometimes, because these runaways… know each other, they find ways to link up. Many times when they are running away, they are not running away by themselves, they run away to stay with another runaway, who is staying with somebody who is exploiting them,” she further notes.

Despite evolving trends, Detective Inspector Gordon assures that support remains available to human trafficking victims through legal mechanisms.

“Support for identified victims or survivors of trafficking is available, as guided by the legislation, and it’s based on the merit of each case. So, shelter, psychosocial support, psychological support, educational assistance, medical assistance and protection are among the various types of support that are afforded to victims and survivors, after proper assessment is made of a particular case,” she explains.

Between 2024 and 2025, the authorities received 64 reports of suspected human trafficking.

These investigations led to the identification of 13 confirmed victims and 21 suspected victims—a total of 34 individuals affected during the period.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit continues to lead coordinated law enforcement efforts and public education campaigns.

However, Detective Inspector Gordon emphasises that sustained awareness and vigilance remain essential in confronting this complex crime.