The Trafficking In Persons Inter-Ministry Committee and Task Force travelled to Freeport Grand Bahama to conduct training with Government and Non- Government agencies in the Northern District of the Bahamas, including Bimini and Abaco, in person and virtually.

The team consisting of Chairperson, ASP. Indirah Belle, Commander Origin Deleveaux, Petty Officer Raquel Munnings, Mrs. Ferguson- Hall c/o Department of Labor , W/Sgt. 2745 Burrows, W/Sgt. 3362 Braynen and DC. 4034 Stubbs conducted the training sessions between 14th November and 16th November, 2023.

Among participating agencies and departments were officers and staff from The Royal Bahamas Police Force, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Department of Immigration, Bahamas Customs Department, Department of Labour, Department of Social Services, Road Traffic Department, Public Hospitals Authority, Post Office Department and the Salvation Army. Over one hundred (100) persons received the training.

On Wednesday 15th November, Asp. I. Belle and team paid a courtesy call on Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. B.K. Bonamy at Police Headquarters where she expressed gratitude on behalf of the team for he and his officers support. She also presented him with a TIPs pin which he greatly appreciated.

The crime of Trafficking In Persons disproportionately affects women and girls, however men and boys are also impacted. To this end, in an effort to educate our young men and raise awareness , the TIPs Inter-Ministry Committee and Task Force hosted a Boys Seminar at the Division of Youth, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on Saturday 11th November, 2023. This event was attended by more than one hundred (100) boys between the ages of 14-17 from various organizations including the Royal Bahamas Police Force Cadets, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, The Bahamas Boys Brigade, the Governor General Youth Awards (GGYA) Program and Fox Hill Urban Renewal Program. The Minister of National Security, the Honorable Wayne Munroe KC, MP, was also in attendance and brought brief remarks. The boys were informed and educated on the definition of Trafficking, root causes of trafficking, how traffickers operate, how to identify victims, Child Trafficking, Labour Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.

Immigration, GB

Pha-Police, GB

RBDF, GB