Sustainability of International Partnership Project is the way forward to combat Human Trafficking

in the Ministry of National Security, Courtney Williams (right) engages in a discussion with Political and Regional Team

Lead from the US Embassy, Scott Winton (left) and the Project Director for the Jamaica-US Child Protection Compact,

Nasolo Thompson (center) at the Closing Out Ceremony for the Jamaica-US Child Protection Compact Project at the Terra

Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Sustainability of International Partnership Project is the way forward to combat Human Trafficking

Chairman for the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Courtney Williams says the sustainability of strategies implemented by the Jamaica-US Child Protection Compact (CPC) Project is a critical way forward to combatting human trafficking.

“Within the context of strengthening the policy framework and institutional mechanism, we are advanced in the process of finalizing a draft of the National Policy to Combat Trafficking in Persons. We also want to ensure that we bring some permanency to the establishment of the TIP Secretariat which will help to sustain the efforts and build on the success we have had so far with the support from Windrock,” Chairman for the NATFATIP expressed at the Closing Out Ceremony for the Jamaica-US Child Protection Compact (CPC) Project at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston earlier today.

He added that in order to build the capacity of the Secretariat: “We have to ensure that we can strengthen the structure to efficiently and effectively carry out the comprehensive roles and responsibilities of the Secretariat. Efforts to ensure that we can improve the efficiency and reduce duplication through better data management and data-sharing.”

Williams noted that the partnership is a commitment of Winrock International’s shared goal to improve Jamaica’s efforts to combat all forms of trafficking.

“Windrock International has solidly supported the Ministry’s shared desire to strengthen Jamaica’s fight against trafficking in persons and for that we are very much grateful,” said the Chairman, while reassuring international partners that the Government “remains committed to stamping out Human Trafficking from our shores and to protect our most vulnerable victims.”

Meanwhile, Political & Regional Team Lead from the US Embassy, Scott Winton says the work of the CPC does not end when the partnership ends.

“We all know that perpetrators of trafficking are relentless so we must remain even more resolve in protecting society’s most vulnerable victims,” he urged, during his address on behalf of US Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Nick Perry.

The Jamaica-US Child Protection Compact (CPC) Project began in 2018, with the aim to strengthen the efforts of the Jamaican Government to tackle human trafficking in all its form, while effectively prosecuting and convicting child traffickers as well as to provide comprehensive trauma-informed care for child victims and to work with civil society to identify victims of child trafficking.