Trafficking in persons training seminar: Bahamas Military

Bahamas: Defence Headquarters stated As a part of Commander Defence Force, Commodore, Dr Raymond King strategic plans for enhancing accountability to the security environment nationally and regionally, a multilayered one-day Trafficking in -Persons (TIPs) training session was conducted at HMBS CORAL HARBOUR on April 6, 2021, by the Training Department.

The objective of the ongoing training -workshop is to help improve and sustain the overall goals of the UN Convention on Human Rights, particularly Trafficking in Persons, as well as The Bahamas’ Trafficking in Persons Act 2008 and its aim to remain a Tier 1 country. 

Applicable International Law on- Trafficking in Persons (UN Protocol) Topics covered include; The Bahamas Legislative Framework, National Bodies on TIPs, V and Punishment, Training, National Coordination and Trafficking in Persons Indicators and Victim Identification/Assistance /Protection,- and Medical Care Victims, Victim Interviews, Investigations Prosecution.

The TIP’s session has been extended to comprise all Defence Force personnel who sit the Force’s Advancement, Leadership, Supervisory, and Management Courses. This latest workshop included candidates who had completed a three-week Able Seaman advancement course.

Police Superintendent Tess Newbold led the workshop of TIPs Task Force of volunteers, Trafficking in Persons Interagency Chairperson Ministry of National Security, and Training Officer and TIPs committee- member Lieutenant Commander Origin Deleveaux and representatives from the Bahamas Immigration- Department, Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Department of Social Services. 

The session was organized in a comprehensive training form in the method of presentations and panel discussions to raise the appropriate awareness of inter-agency roles and responsibilities in combatting this transnational crime.

On completion of the training, participants were rewarded a certificate by Captain Shawn Adderley, Acting Captain Coral Harbour, along with reputed Lieutenant Commander Deleveaux, Mrs Tess Newbold, and other respective committee members.

Over the years, the Royal Bahamas Defence -Force has serviced significantly to the development of the TIPS Task Force from its inception in training and initial victim identification. The introduction of- Defence Force personnel to Trafficking in Persons training programs beginning in 2011.

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