Unemployment ... A fertile breeding ground for traffickers – Palmer

Chairperson for the National Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons, Carol Palmer, says systematic weaknesses in the investigative, prosecutorial and judicial services amid a high level of unemployment, makes combating human trafficking a challenge.

She says Jamaica’s high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth and women provide a fertile breeding ground for traffickers.

She was addressing a gathering of persons at a press conference, marking the start of Trafficking in Persons Week at the Ministry of Justice, this morning.

The week is being marked under the theme, 'Stop Human Trafficking: Everybody’s Business'.

It seeks to draw attention to the need for a whole-hearted approach by Government and the entire society in fighting modern day slavery in the form of human trafficking.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, says a robust judiciary system is needed to secure prosecutions, which will send a powerful message to offenders that they will be punished.

He says while there is reliance on law enforcement agencies and the prosecutorial and judiciary services, protection of victims during and after court cases is of fundamental importance.