Govt hosts national training session to boost response to TIP

The Home Affairs Ministry, through the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP), on Wednesday hosted a one-day training seminar aimed at strengthening the capacity of Community Policing Group (CPG) Liaison and Executive Officers to detect and respond to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.

The training, titled “Introduction to Trafficking in Persons and Response Mechanisms,” was held at the Guyana Police Force Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Street, and brought together 20 CPG Liaison Officers from Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Ministerial Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons emphasized the importance of equipping frontline officers with the knowledge and tools necessary for the early detection of human trafficking and related forms of exploitation.

He noted that strengthening reporting mechanisms and improving access to victim support services are critical components in Guyana’s fight against trafficking in persons.

The comprehensive training agenda covered a range of key topics, including defining and understanding trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling; forms of exploitation and indicators of trafficking; application of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Legislation (2023); victim identification for both adults and children; safe reporting mechanisms and trauma-informed care; the role of law enforcement and community policing groups; inter-agency collaboration in combating trafficking; and indicators of drug use and abuse and their connection to criminal activity.

Presentations were also delivered by representatives from several key agencies, including the Home Affairs Ministry, the Guyana Police Force Trafficking in Persons Unit, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Human Services Ministry’s Counter-Trafficking Unit, and the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU).

Participants also engaged in interactive discussions and practical sessions designed to enhance their ability to identify victims, respond appropriately, and utilize referral pathways for recovery and support services.

The training forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacity to combat trafficking in persons, promote victim protection, and foster coordinated responses among stakeholders.

The Home Affairs Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing trafficking in persons through continued training, public awareness, and collaboration with local and international partners.