The Ministry of Justice’s Justice Training Institute (JTI) has developed an online course to identify and interact with child trafficking victims.

The virtual course is designed to allow participants to identify and address child trafficking, interact with child victims and witnesses of human trafficking in a trauma-informed, child-friendly way, and to raise participants’ awareness about where to receive assistance when treating with matters related to child trafficking.

The training programme is in partnership with the Warnath Group, with its first pilot training programme started in August 2022.

After the pilot programme, the public and private sector will be invited by the JTI to participate. On successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate.

The training programme will also be geared towards empowering participants to adopt and use victim- centered techniques when treating child victims of human trafficking.

Bascoe is also “encouraging front-line responders and practitioners to register for this opportunity, as they will gain a deeper understanding and increased knowledge of trafficking regarding child victims and witnesses”.

The customised training programme forms part of the Jamaica and United States Child Protection
Compact (CPC) Criminal Justice initiative.

The purpose of the CPC partnership is to strengthen the efforts of the Jamaican government to effectively prosecute and convict child traffickers.

MANDATE TO PROVIDE TRAINING, STAFF DEVELOPMENT

From its inception in 2018, the CPC has worked with civil society to identify victims of child trafficking, and to provide care for child victims.

The mandate of the JTI is to provide training and staff development activities of the highest quality
to meet the needs and build the capacity of Jamaica’s Justice Sector workers, as well as Justices of
the Peace, in accordance with international standards.