BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados Government Wednesday pledged to work with national, regional and international partners in the fight against human trafficking that it says is driven by criminal networks that thrive on the exploitation of a generation of huge profits that flow from the suffering of victims of trafficking.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Dale Marshall, in a message marking “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” said Barbados recognises the importance of law enforcement in dismantling these criminal networks.

He said that the Barbados Police Service (BPS) is actively involved in detecting and investigating suspected cases of trafficking and continues to work assiduously in the fight against trafficking of persons, while understanding the nature of trafficking, using strategies that are sensitive to the needs of suspected victims of trafficking.

“Victims of human trafficking do not have a specific face — they can be black, white, men, women or children, who are often exploited through force, fraud or coercion for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labour or domestic servitude. It can happen to anyone, anywhere.

“This year, we ask you to support our law enforcement agencies as they continue the fight against this crime. We also encourage you to look for the signs of human trafficking,” Marshall said, adding that the Government remains committed to combating trafficking in persons by re-doubling the efforts to identify and assist and protect victims, while finding and prosecuting perpetrators of this crime and their cohorts.

“Equally important are capacity building initiatives, training and raising public awareness about the signs of trafficking in persons. We will continue to work with national, regional and international partners who share the common goal of eradicating this heinous crime from the landscape.

“Together, we can break the chains of exploitation. Know the signs and report any suspicious activities to Crime Stoppers or the nearest police station, as we continue to fight these criminal networks and bring an end to trafficking of persons,” Marshall said.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is being observed under the theme “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime: End the Exploitation” and Marshall says it is a reminder of the “wanton violation of the humanity and dignity of women, men and children”.

“It is driven by criminal networks that thrive on the exploitation of and generation of huge profits that flow from the suffering of victims of trafficking,” he said, adding that “The theme reinforces the urgent need to dismantle these networks and highlights the role of law enforcement agencies in an effective response to this global problem.”

“Trafficking in persons is not a random crime against individuals — it is a deliberate violation of their human rights and self-esteem while attempting to subvert justice,” he said.

The United Nations (UN) said that human trafficking continues to be a global threat driven by organised crime and that more and more victims are being trafficked every year, across greater distances, with greater violence, for longer periods and for greater profit.

It said that from 2020 to 2023, there were more than 200,000 detected victims globally, which is just the tip of the iceberg. The actual number of unreported cases is believed to be significantly higher.

“Organised criminal networks are driving this victimisation and exploitation, using migration flows, global supply chains, legal and economic loopholes and digital platforms to facilitate cross-border trafficking on a massive scale. They profit from forced labour, sexual exploitation and coercion into criminal activities, such as online scams and drug smuggling.

“Despite some progress, criminal justice responses fall short in tackling this rapidly evolving crime. To end human trafficking, law enforcement must enforce strict laws, conduct proactive investigations, strengthen cross-border cooperation, target criminal finances, and leverage technology to identify and dismantle trafficking networks,” the UN said.