PROPOSED ANTI-TRAFFICKING GUIDELINES TO ADDRESS GAPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.
The Department of Home Affairs has teamed up with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the local non-governmental organization Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia to review guidelines on the prevention of sexual exploitation of females in the tourism sector.
Discussions included victim support and services, the enactment and enforcement of laws, and awareness and training.
OAS Crime and Violence Chief Representative Ms. Anna Uchoa, underscored the value of the meeting.
“Saint Lucia, like other tourist destinations, is affected by human trafficking with women as the main victims. This underscores the need for the development of frameworks and other interventions that aim to prevent and mitigate human trafficking, and most importantly protect the rights and dignity of those vulnerable,” she said.
The draft guidelines are the first of their kind for Saint Lucia. According to Uchoa, they are expected to address gaps in the fight against sexual exploitation. Some of those gaps were identified by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Labour, and Gender Affairs, Dr. Elizabeth Bailey. She stressed the need for a tell-all system, to successfully detect, investigate and prosecute offenders.
“This project will foster collaboration and cooperation among key stakeholders using the guidelines as a framework for empowering migrant women, protecting their rights, and ensuring their dignity and safety. The Government of Saint Lucia recognizes that due to financial constraints there are gaps such as the need for safe houses to help support vulnerable migrants. There is also a need for training of law enforcement, judiciary diplomats, and other members of public and private institutions. Additionally, we need more rigorous anti-trafficking public awareness campaigns.”
Dr. Bailey said the Government of Saint Lucia is committed to strengthening mechanisms to prevent sexual abuse.
The review meeting was held on Feb. 29.