Police to sensitise public on human trafficking

The Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) is stepping up its efforts to combat the growing concern of the multibillion-dollar human-trafficking ring.

As part of an islandwide sensitisation exercise, the Jamaica Constabulary Force yesterday kicked off the first of a two-day seminar at OCID's Kingston office.

Senior Superintendent of Police Fitz Bailey, head of OCID, said the seminar and the ensuing sensitisation exercises were essential in putting a serious dent in this criminal activity.

"As part of our effort, we will be going to the schools, churches, other police formations in various geographic divisions, taking it to the public and key stakeholders to sensitive them to the red flags and dangers of the trade, especially among the children," Bailey told The Gleaner.

The OCID head said the cyber-crime division would play a major part in this effort, as they were undertaking a joint approach with the child-pornography ring and the social-media network.

"We will be telling the children to look out for predators on Facebook and other social-media networks. We need to (point out to) our children that they can become victims on these social networks. They can be lured into activities they never thought they would be involved in, and they can become victims of trafficking," he said.

anastasia.cunningham@gleanerjm.com

Red flags to look out for:

Are you forced into situations where you have no control over your own movement?

Are you being paid below the established minimum wage?

What are the conditions under which you work?

Are you allowed the liberty to go where you want to go after you have completed work?

If you are a foreigner, is your work document seized by your boss? Do you have access to your travel documents and work permit?

Have you been employed under the same condition you were told when you sought the job?

Is the condition inhumane?

Facts about human trafficking

Human trafficking - modern-day slavery - is ranked the third-largest international crime industry, behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking.

It is estimated to rake in US$32 billion per year worldwide.

Of that amount, US$15.5 billion is made in industrialised countries.

10 to 30 million people worldwide are victims of modern-day slavery.

Jamaica is currently ranked in tier two in the world in the Trafficking in Persons Report, and is listed among the main trans-shipment ports for the trade.

Most victims undergo sexual exploitation or forced labour.