Government on Monday unveiled a national plan to combat human trafficking, the first of its kind here to fight the global scourge on these shores.
One of its first actions will be to study the problem and make further recommendations on how to deter it, said Attorney General Dale Marshall.
The plan contains four Ps: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnership, according to the chief legal adviser.
He declared the Barbados National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, 2021-2023 a milestone in tackling a multifaceted problem that had been a source of concern for policymakers for many years.
A budget of $125,000 had been allocated for the upcoming financial year to finance the action plan, he said.
“One important element of the two-year plan is a study to determine the nature and extent of trafficking in the island,” said Marshall. “The study’s recommendations will guide the development of targeted interventions aimed at deterring and addressing in a systematic way any existing issues related to human trafficking.”
Marshall thanked the United States for funding two training programmes this month for immigration and customs officers, judges and magistrates, police prosecutors, and Crown prosecutors under the Director of Public Prosecutions.
He added that the training, conducted by the American Bar Association, used trainers with experience in identifying victims of trafficking and prosecuting traffickers.
The AG said: “This is a solid start to ensuring that all agencies involved in the fight against human trafficking receive the requisite training.”
But Marshall said it was up to citizens for the anti-trafficking plan to work.
(SD/BGIS)
