Strides Being Made to Deal with Trafficking in Person Cases

Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, says strides are being made to efficiently dispose of trials involving persons who are trafficked.

He said the Government is strengthening the judicial system to reduce turnaround times to dispose of the cases, while also improving ways in which victims interface with the Court.

“The Judges only trial which was recently approved by Cabinet is a step in the right direction, and signals the priority being given to human trafficking by the Administration,” Mr. Chuck said.

He was addressing a press conference to announce plans to create more awareness during Trafficking In Persons Week at his Constant Spring Road offices, in St. Andrew, yesterday (July 24).

The Week is being observed from July 23 to 30 under the theme: ‘Stop Human Trafficking: Everybody’s Business’.

Mr. Chuck said families, communities, schools, businesses and other groups and individuals must understand fully the effects of trafficking, and that “lives are being destroyed.”

For his part, Minister of National Security, Hon. Robert Montague, said human trafficking is responsible for many of the children reported missing and some who end up in the illicit sex ring.

He emphasised that citizens must help the authority to dent this operation by reporting suspicious activities in their communities.

“Human traffickers prey on the weak and vulnerable, and the disadvantaged. When someone offers you a job and a good life, scrutinise the offer,” Mr. Montague urged, adding that parents must pay keen attention to children when they are on the Internet.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, who is also the Chairperson of the National Task Force Against Trafficking In Persons (NATFATIP), said they have designed messages to encourage the population to play their part to stop trafficking in persons.

“We will be going door-to-door and business to business in Rocky Point, Clarendon, and Spanish Town, St. Catherine, to take the message of human trafficking to the people,” she said, noting that victims require sustained support services across the portfolios of Health, Education, Immigration and Labour.