1. HUMAN TRAFFICKING “The Jamaican Government's position”
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
1-888-PROTECT
3/12/2015

2. Contextual Background
Prior to doing an elaboration on the Government’s position on human trafficking, an appropriate contextual background is being provided
to highlight the nature of this offence and its serious implications, and outline
the proactive and vigilant response of the Government of Jamaica to this scourge
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

3. What is Human Trafficking?
Definition I
Criminal offence
committed when someone obtains or holds a person in compelled service
It involves the exploitation of another for the purposes of compelled labour or commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud or coercion
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

4. What is Human Trafficking ?
DEFINITION II
According to the UN Palermo Protocol:, there are three main ingredients:
Activity – recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons
Means – Deception, threats, abuse of power, fraud and abduction
Purpose – Exploitation of Persons - Prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery servitude and forced marriage
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

5. Modus Operandi of Traffickers
Promise of good job in another country
Kidnapping potential victims
Advertising “too good to be true” jobs in the newspapers, on social media sites and the internet
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

6. The Jamaican situation
Jamaica is classified as a source, transit and destination country
Risk factors include – unemployment, poor education
Motivating factor – economic need
2007 Study - Dunn & Ricketts showed:
Majority of victims are females
Children and women are most vulnerable groups
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

7. Governmental response/position
Government is committed to the cause of combating human trafficking employing a proactive, vigilant and remedial approach
Position is strategically aligned to the UN Protocol on the Prevention, Suppression and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons, reflected in our domestic legislation
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

8. Governmental response/position II
Buttressed by the Minimum Standards for the elimination of Trafficking in Persons and heightened awareness of the social realities that persist in Jamaica
Guided by the 3-P approach – Prevention, Protection and Punishment, executed by the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

9. The THREE P’S Approach Prevention Protection Prosecution
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

10. PREVENTION
Research has shown that little or no education increases vulnerability and provides the basis and rationale for the Prevention Strategy
Education allows all citizens, especially children, to guard against its negative impact
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

11. prevention
There is an extensive public education and outreach campaign including:
Engaging in Outreach Programmes for schools
Developing Outreach Project for parents, teachers and guidance counselors
Collaboration with various media entities to produce creative programmes to further highlight the dangers of human trafficking
Using social media and other message applications
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

12. PREVENTION Training of relevant State actors
Sensitizing young women at nightclubs and massage parlours on the dangers of trafficking
Incorporation of TIP in the JCDC Competitions for 2015
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

13. TIP Curriculum!!
Introduction of Trafficking in Persons at the secondary level
To be commenced by September 2015 will seek to educate students about the dangers of Trafficking in Persons, a violation of human rights and the consequences associated with this offence
Curriculum will inevitably cause children to become vigilant and proactive, capable of making informed decisions about their future
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

14. Health sensitisation sessions
Sessions were conducted in the Ministry of Health, where medical professionals were sensitised on Mental Health in children and the issue of human trafficking
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

15. protection
Guidance is also provided by The Minimum Standards for the elimination of Trafficking in Persons, which stipulates that Governments should protect victims of severe forms of trafficking and encourage their assistance in the investigation and prosecution of such trafficking
Given the serious issues relating to victim protection, including fear of reprisals and death threats, the Government is vigilant in its stance to safeguard against these effects, by employing various measures
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

16. PROTECTION Operation of TIP Shelter to house victims
There is ongoing collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations in identifying additional shelter
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

17. protection
Legislative provisions – The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression and Punishment) Act 2007 and its 2013 Amendments contain detailed provisions
Assistance in understanding the laws of Jamaica and their rights as victims
Assistance in obtaining the relevant documents and information to assist with legal proceedings
Assistance in meeting expenses related to criminal proceedings against the traffickers
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

18. PROTECTION Witness Protection Programme Memorandum of Understanding
Placement of high-risk victims in the care of the Witness Protection Programme, where they are needed for trials
Memorandum of Understanding
Development of a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of establishing a standard protocol to govern TIP data collection and information sharing among key stakeholder
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

19. PROSECUTION/PUNISHMENT
Vigilance in tracking, investigation and prosecution to ensure that the perpetrators of this horrific crime are punished
Guidance is also reflected in The Minimum Standards for the elimination of Trafficking in Persons, which prescribes that Governments should vigorously investigate and prosecute severe forms of Trafficking in Persons
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

20. PROSECUTION/PUNISHMENT
The legislation prescribes the measures to be taken in securing a prosecution, including procedures relating to entry on premises, search, and seizure of potential evidence
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

21. PROSECUTION/PUNISHMENT
JCF Trafficking in Persons Unit
Establishment of a Trafficking in Persons Unit at the Jamaica Constabulary
During 2014/15, thirty-one raids were conducted ; twelve victims were identified and rescued
Thirty-five new trafficking in persons investigations launched
Five persons were arrested and charged
Eighteen others were arrested and charged for offences akin to human trafficking
Displacement of two of the major prostitution rings in Kingston and St. James
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

22. PROSECUTION/PUNISHMENT
Training of Police, Prosecutors and Judges
The Police, Prosecutors and Judges have been sensitised to the nuances which may exist in prosecution of trafficking cases and in general handling of TIP matters
The intention is to ensure that trafficking cases are effectively and expeditiously handled
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

23. PROSECUTION/PUNISHMENT
Appointment of a National Rapporteur
Most recently, a Rapporteur for trafficking in persons was appointed to
among other things
Conduct independent examinations and investigations of reports of alleged human trafficking
Report on violations, and
Provide an analytical overview of the situation in trafficking in an annual report to the Government
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

24. conclusion
The Government continues on its proactive and vigilant stance in ensuring that the citizens of Jamaica and other persons resident in our island are made aware of human trafficking
Victims are afforded adequate protection and the offenders of this crime are punished
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

25. conclusion
The Government’s position ON Human Trafficking is PROACTIVE, VIGILANT, RESTORATIVE and REMEDIAL
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015

26. Be wise, open your eyes, spot them, stop them!
Carol Palmer, Chairman, National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons
3/12/2015