Soroptimist International Liverpool Conference 2018 Human Trafficking Trinidad and Tobago

Definition The word ‘slavery’ conjures up thoughts of the archaic Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade which was abolished in the British Empire in the mid-1800s. However, the reality is that, in this 21st century, more people are enslaved than during the entire Trans-Atlantic slave trade! Today, slavery is called “Trafficking in Persons” or “Human Trafficking”. These are regarded as the umbrella terms for the act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring, or receiving a person for the purpose of exploitation (such as forced labour or commercial sex acts) through the use of force, fraud, deception, abduction, abuse of power, etc.​

About the survey An adaption of the UKPAC survey on Human Trafficking and Modern slavery that was carried out by clubs in the to mark the Anti-Slavery Day, 18 October 2017 Clubs in the UK did the survey during that week The same time across the Caribbean. Twelve questions in the survey UKPAC will look at comparisons across the UK and the Caribbean

Why Survey This survey was to determine the public’s perceptions of human trafficking and modern slavery across the Caribbean and links with a similar survey taking place in the UK by the UK programme action committee (UKPAC). Results of this survey will enable the UK Modern Slavery Training Delivery Group and its partners to compare differences between the Caribbean and the UK and will help to shape future awareness raising campaigns relating to human trafficking and slavery.  

Question 1 Name of Soroptimist submitting this sheet.  SI Trinidad and Tobago  

Question 2 To what extent do you think human trafficking and modern slavery are present locally? Reply Do not occur locally Not widespread Fairly widespread Widespread Very widespread Don’t know   Totals 6 2  0 1

2. To what extent do you think human trafficking and modern slavery are present locally?

Question 3 Where have you heard about human trafficking and slavery? RESPONSES Port of Spain held training from a Caribbean umbrella organisation on raising public awareness. Training providers work in schools. Probation officers, immigration officers and the police provide information. Reply Newspaper On line Leaflet Community group Other - From presentation Other SIGBI magazine Totals 8 4 5 2 1

Question 3 Where have you heard about human trafficking and slavery?

Question 4 What types of exploitation do you believe victims of human trafficking and slavery are subjected to? Reply Sexual exploitation Forced labour Domestic servitude Forced begging Forced criminality Organ harvesting Don’t know Totals   12 10 8  0 Please list any other as identified: National Security Legal Fraternity

4. What types of exploitation do you believe victims of human trafficking and slavery are subjected to?

Question 5 Who do you think could become a victim of human trafficking/slavery? Reply Adults Men Women Children Boys Girls Foreign nationals Local people Vulnerable people Totals   7 11 12 6 Please list any other as identified

5. Who do you think could become a victim of human trafficking/slavery?

Question 6 Would you recognise the signs that someone is potentially a victim of human trafficking and modern slavery? Reply Yes No Not Sure Totals   3 6 2 If ‘yes’ please list other recognised signs: Child with an adult they do not know. Child very quiet. No eye contact Shifty and unable to speak to strangers. Trying to make verbal contact. Not talking about themselves Being watched. Wandering and asking for directions Responding to ‘to good to be true’ job adverts People wanting to go abroad. Unable to speak the language Claiming to be married but not living with a partner. Speaking to a victim. No proof of identity No schooling No family No cash

6. Would you recognise the signs that someone is potentially a victim of human trafficking and modern slavery

Question 7 Would you know how to report suspicions of human trafficking/modern slavery?   Reply Yes No Totals 8 4 If ‘yes’ please specify: Ministry of National Security- Counter trafficking Unit. Police station. Human trafficking is a criminal offence Speak to school principal  

Question 8 Which part of the Caribbean are you from?   Anguilla Barbados Grenada Jamaica St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Totals 12

Question 9 Gender   Female Male Other Totals 12

Question 10 Age Range 16 – 24 years 25 – 40 years 41 – 60 years   16 – 24 years 25 – 40 years 41 – 60 years 61+ years Totals 1 3 8

Question 11 Occupational status   Self employed Employed Unemployed Retired Student Totals 2 10

Question 12 Are you a Soroptimist?   Yes No Totals 12

Conclusion “The International Organisation for Migration has conducted research in the Caribbean and has found that there are three major forms of human trafficking occurring here. They are Trafficking for the purpose of (1) Labour exploitation, (2) Sexual exploitation including that of children, and (3) Domestic servitude”. The survey although small in number of responses is highly correlated to the research Slide #11 shows this correlation

Thank you