The United Nations (UN) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines trafficking in persons as 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 (UN, 2000, 2003).

In Antigua and Barbuda, the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Committee (TIPPC) is the body responsible for the nation’s efforts in the prevention of human trafficking. The TIPPC was established under the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act 2010 as amended (Act) and Section 11 of that Act gave the Committee the authority to establish such Task Forces as was deemed necessary to assist in the performance of its function and exercise of its duties.

The committee is comprised of heads or designates of all Law Enforcement agencies, Ministry of Public Safety & Labour, Family & Social Services and NGO’s. The wide cross-section of representation from the various organizations and departments allow for a better synergy as these members hold an executive position in their respective organizations which empower them to make decisions and implement policies within their parent body.

To assist the committee in executing its mandate, two (2) Task Forces have been established – Task Force Cases and the Education Task Force – which utilizes and is centred around the 4P’s of Human Trafficking – Prevention, Protection, Partnership and Prosecution.

The Cases Task Force is responsible for the Protection of victims and the Prosecution of offenders and share responsibility with the Secretariat in the 3 R’s of Justice for Human Trafficking Victims – Rescue, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. The Cases Task Force has enhanced its abilities and resources to increase surveillance, investigations and interviews.

The Education Task Force includes members from various government sectors. The Task Force’s main mandate is to educate and increase awareness among the populace of Antigua and Barbuda on human trafficking.The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Secretariat, coordinates the activities of the Task Forces and Committee and is the central repository for all TIP data.

Facebook page: TIPPC Trafficking In Persons Prevention Committee (@TIPPCommittee)

Facebook page link: https://www.facebook.com/TIPPCommittee