The 13-year-old girl, who was apprehended by the police along with a Corentyne liquor restaurant owner and three other girls on Saturday, has told the police that she was forced to give sexual favours to patrons.
A source told this newspaper yesterday that the police have been unable to contact the child's parents and as such she remains in police custody.
On Saturday, the police arrested five persons in what they suspect to be a case of trafficking in persons (TIP). The issue is a hot topic at the moment with Guyana cited by the United States as not doing enough to crack down on the practice which locally, mainly involves young Amerindian girls being coerced into prostitution. Sanctions are being threatened by Washington over the issue and there has been a flurry of activity by government officials here to sensitise the public to TIP and to begin enforcement action.
The three older girls and the owner were released on bail and are being asked to report to the Springlands Police Station. The four girls are all from the Essequibo and interior areas and were allegedly taken to the Corentyne by the proprietor.
According to the source, the 13-year-old said she was taken from her home under the impression that she would be working as a domestic at the man's home. However, on arriving in the Corentyne she was made to work in the bar and later gave men sexual favours, which they paid the restaurant owner for. This is one of the typical situations that TIP victims end up in.
The three other girls also reportedly had to sign six-month contracts with the owner, which prevented them from leaving the location.
Sources could not say what the proprietor would be charged with.
The police release had said that the force acting on information dispatched ranks from the Juvenile Department at CID headquarters, Eve Leary to the Corentyne where they arrested the proprietor and the girls who were all allegedly involved in illicit activities.
Reports reaching this newspaper said that some girls working at other restaurants in Berbice are keeping out of sight for fear of being arrested.
Meanwhile, a release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday that Attorney-General, Doodnauth Singh said the Ministry of Legal Affairs is in receipt of the anti-trafficking legislation to deal with human trafficking. Singh said he has received the document, which was since handed over to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Cecil Dhurjon on June 29.
According to the release, Dhurjon is working on the draft of the bill, which will be completed in time to be presented to parliament before the August recess.
Another release from GINA yesterday said that according to the International Organisation on Migration, the definition of TIP is: "...the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of 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. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs..."
This release reported Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Bibi Shadick, as telling residents of Caria Caria and Western Hog Island, Region Three that her ministry is working to stamp out the practice.
The minister has begun a campaign to visit communities to urge people who are aware of such activities to report them to the authorities.
She told the residents that persons who are poor and want better living conditions for their children are easy targets. She added that there is evidence that individuals have been taking young children overseas.
"You have to be on the look-out and be cautious. Don't be fooled, please!" Shadick implored. (Samantha Alleyne)