Counter Trafficking Unit Raises Alarm Over Sexual Exploitation in Tobago
Recent police activity in Tobago has shown that the island is not immune to the scourge of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
As part of the commemoration of the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Ministry of Homeland Security conducted an awareness campaign in Tobago, starting with the unveiling of a billboard along the Claude Noel Highway in the vicinity of Shirvan.
According to Deputy Director of the Counter Trafficking Unit in the Ministry of Homeland Security, Dane-Marie Marshall, the arrest of three persons over the weekend in connection with human trafficking shows that more awareness is needed in Tobago.
Speaking at the unveiling of the billboard warning against human trafficking, she revealed that between 2% and 3% of residents are being sexually exploited on the island.
“We are recognising that girls who started exploitation in Trinidad are being brought to Tobago.”
Ms Marshall also noted that instances of human trafficking increase in Tobago during peak tourism periods.
“When there is heavy activity in Tobago, there is heavy movement of women in Tobago. That is what we are seeing. So we are coming up to Great Fete weekend, so we are saying we want our hoteliers to notice the particular environment, notice the particular trends so that they will be able to give us a call on our hotline 800-4CTU.”
This is why one of the CTU’s missions on the island is to meet with tourism stakeholders to help them understand how to detect human trafficking.
The unit is also targeting youth camps, since it has noticed a trend of young people being lured into such activities via social media.
“The Counter Trafficking Unit is not going to encourage that type of behaviour, and we will come to Tobago, we will go to any parts of Trinidad, and we will find you, and we will deal with you.”
Ms Marshall indicated that the Unit will continue to monitor businesses and intervene where necessary in a similar fashion to last weekend.
“We targeted one particular location, that is the Chillout Bar, because of what the intelligence provided, and of course we partnered with the Customs and Excise Division there, and they did the necessary in terms of ensuring that the bar in itself meets legal requirements.”
The UN’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is on July 30th, and the theme for this year is “Trapped Behind the Scam”. The Counter Trafficking Unit is encouraging everyone to wear blue in solidarity. It is also warning the public that prostitution remains illegal and carries hefty penalties.
