Rationale for Conference:

The Governor-General’s I Believe Initiative-Youth Consultative Conference in 2019 collaborates with the National Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and other local and international stakeholders to provide information, exposure and superior knowledge on the scourge of human trafficking to delegates and attendees.

This Conference is aimed at helping participants better appreciate and understand the crime of human trafficking and the unique circumstances that continue to cause an expansion in this transnational crime trade. It is designed to equip participants with the requisite knowledge and provide them with the right tools to help protect themselves against becoming victims of human trafficking and how to treat with the different forms and manifestations of Trafficking In Persons (TIP).

 

Objectives:

The main objectives of this Conference are to:

• Increase public awareness to discourage TIP activities and warn vulnerable citizens
• Train and sensitize Jamaican youth to identify victims of human trafficking
• Build capacity among stakeholders
• Develop a ‘Discussion Document’ with appropriate recommendations for strategic use
• Create a framework to ensure sustainability and continuity in the fight against TIP

 

Expected Outcomes:

The Conference is expected to achieve the following:

• Increase awareness and understanding of TIP within the Jamaican society
• Produce a cadre of Jamaicans who have been sufficiently sensitized in counter TIP matters
• Improved partnership among stakeholders
• Improve understanding of how to treat with victims of TIP crimes
• Information to encourage the responsible use of social media and the INTERNET

 

Expected Benefits:

A project of this nature will undoubtedly facilitate intrinsic and extrinsic benefits to the participants and the wider Jamaican society. Below are just some of the benefits to be gain from its successful implementation:

• It will increase the awareness and knowledge of participants around the subject matter;
• It will help to encourage more responsible use of social media and the INTERNET;
• It will generate much needed discussions and research that can be used to successfully close the knowledge gap around the subject area;
• It will help Jamaica to achieve its mandate set out under the National Plan of Action towards an improved Tier 1 Ranking;
• It will help to shore up Jamaica’s standing as a country that takes the issue of human trafficking seriously.

 

Venue:

The Montego Bay Conference Centre, Rose Hall, St. James.

 

Human Trafficking Information Sheet

Human Trafficking: the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.Source: UNODC.org

 

Signs of Human Trafficking:

1. Is not in control of their own identification documents (ID or passport)
2. Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips
3. Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off
4. Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work
5. Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work
6. Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture
7. Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behaviour after bringing up law enforcement or immigration officials

 

Statistics:

The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally.

• 81% of them are trapped in forced labour.
• 25% of them are children.
• 75% are women and girls.

The U.S. Department of Labour has identified 148 goods from 75 countries made by forced and child labour.

Forced labour and human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide.

34.8 million Jamaican dollars allocated for anti-trafficking efforts in fiscal year 2017- 2018.

 

Hotspots in Jamaica:

1. Truck Stop in Runaway Bay, St Ann,
2. Back Road in Portmore, St Catherine,
3. Ripon Road in Kingston
4. Hip Strip in Montego Bay, St James

 

Survivor Stories Worldwide:

https://polarisproject.org/stories?keys=&field_categories_tid=43753&field_initiatives_tid=All&field_blog_author_target_id=All

 

To report a suspected case, you may contact the NATFATIP, located at the Ministry of Justice.

For further information and to make reports, please contact:

National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons
Ministry of Justice
61 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10
Phone: 876-906-4923-31
Toll Free: 888-587-8423
Fax: 876-906-1712

You may also visit:

• https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html
• https://jm.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/jamaica-Ranking.pdf
• https://moj.gov.jm/content/human-trafficing
• http://nationwideradiojm.com/human-traffickers-target-jamaican-teens/

 

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