Help and Shelter to fight human trafficking with education campaign
— US official commends government's efforts in tackling problem
Kaieteur News
November 30, 2006
Deputy Chief of Mission from the United States Embassy, Michael D. Thomas, yesterday commended the efforts of the Guyana Government in addressing the problem of trafficking in persons.
Speaking at the launching of the Help and Shelter's Public Education Campaign against Trafficking in Persons at the National Library, Mr. Thomas acknowledged that significant efforts have been made to address the issue of trafficking in persons.
He noted that there has been “appreciable progress over the last two years.”
Thomas observed that the Help and Shelter Public Education Campaign marked the beginning of a major activity by the organisation.
Thomas said that when victims are removed from their bondage, Help and Shelter, through this project, will give them temporary shelter and the opportunity to learn a skill.
The entire package, he stated, which includes public education, counselling, shelter activities and related coordination, is valued at approximately US$100,000, and is scheduled to run until July 2007.
He noted that this public education campaign is made possible with the support of the American people through the United States Government's Agency for International Development.
Regarding local efforts to address human trafficking, Thomas said the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, with US$100,000 in funding, had embarked on a programme to increase awareness of trafficking in persons.
He pointed out that this was done through visits to communities and training of community facilitators to recognise and report incidences of trafficking in persons.
“Ministry officials visited communities that are nodal points for human trafficking in all ten of Guyana 's administrative regions.
Co-operation
He said that the US Government hopes continued co-operation and collaboration between the two governments and various donors will lead to an increase in the percentage of trafficking cases that are reported to the proper authorities; to better assistance to victims; and most importantly, to a significant reduction in the incidence of trafficking in persons.
He said that the Help and Shelter safe haven is a good example of collaboration between the Government of Guyana, non-governmental organisations, local businesses, and individual donors.
“Since its establishment, the Shelter has provided a safe place for victims of domestic violence. Under the current programme of American support, the facility will also be used to accommodate victims of trafficking in persons, and to provide skills training to its occupants,” Thomas said.
Many victims are lured by the promise of employment, and will be unable to escape the chains of trafficking, unless they have a skill with which they can earn an income, Thomas stressed.
He explained that if victims have no alternative sources of income, they are likely to fall into similar situations.
“Of course, the big question is what happens after July 2007? I don't have the answer, but I will take this opportunity to seek the continued involvement of everyone in this room in keeping the doors of Help and Shelter open. If each of us gives up one visit a month to a restaurant or a salon, and instead make a donation to Help and Shelter, we can make a difference,” Thomas said.
Trafficking in persons is the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, or receipt of human beings by means of fraud, force, or coercion for the purpose of sexual and/or labour exploitation.
Trafficking in persons can take many forms, including domestic servitude.
It is considered modern-day slavery.
In the last three years, there has been increased awareness of this problem in Guyana .
Help and Shelter is a non-governmental organisation that provides counselling and support services to persons affected by domestic violence.
Help and Shelter has been a crucial lifeline for many victims of domestic violence who had nowhere else to turn.