More Shelters Needed for Trafficking Survivors, Says IOM

Increased and more focused Counter Trafficking training for staff attached to shelter facilities which accommodate Survivors of Trafficking (SoTs) as well as more shelters are required in order to adequately meet the needs of these victims in Trinidad and Tobago.

This was but one finding revealed during the Presentation of Findings of the Situational Assessment (SA) on the system of care and assistance available to SoTs within shelter facilities and accompanying Training Needs Assessment (TNA). The findings of these assessments were presented in April at the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre and subsequently published in June (links found below).

The qualitative assessments sought to: identify the types of residential care homes and shelters available and accessible to both adult and child SoTs in Trinidad and Tobago; examine their specific needs; determine the policy frameworks and protocols guiding their operations; identify the existing training needs and gaps among SoT service providers; and propose recommendations to enhance the quality of survivor support services and improve the capacities of SOT service providers.

Following the findings of these assessments and site visits, Zeke Beharry, IOM’s Project Manager for HER CTIP indicated that three community residences: a government-run migrant facility, a probation hostel and a home for children were chosen for upgrades to their vocational, counselling and medical infrastructure through the HER-CTIP Project.

Her Excellency Candace A. Bond, United States (U.S) of America Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago noted that  the U.S.’ global counter trafficking efforts consisted of a three-pronged strategy that focused on promoting a victim-centred approach; assessing the support needed by partner countries and building states’ capacity. “Together we must leverage our resources, our networks and our information. We must ensure that our efforts include having the best experts to drive criminal investigations into forced labour and sex trafficking and to provide the resources and training to improve support services to help victims heal,” she noted.

The Situation Assessment found that there are shelter limitations for adult SOTs and a lack of placement options for male victims. Service providers in shelters also face challenges pertaining to accessing medical services, psychosocial support, education and training, lack of financial support and human resources, and a lack of clear policies and Standard Operating Procedures as it pertains to a system of care for SOTs. Moreover, the Training Needs Assessment identified a strong demand by service providers in acquiring the relevant training in the aforementioned areas.

Considering these findings, the assessments called for the development of counter trafficking training frameworks and schedules guided by international best practices that would complement improved service provision for SOTs.

Permanent Secretary (Ag.) Vijay Gangapersad with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago noted that the findings of these assessments were timely and would ensure greater responsiveness in the Government’s policy and programmatic framework grounded in an evidence-based approach.

 The Situational and Training Assessments were conducted from August to September 2022 using a multi-pronged approach where information and data were gathered through desk research and semi-structured interviews with Government officials, senior staff of shelter facilities, non-governmental organizations and survivors of trafficking.

These assessments were commissioned under the Heal, Empower, Rise – Counter Trafficking in Persons (HER CTIP) Project, which is being implemented by the International Organization for Migration Port of Spain Office (IOM POS) with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in partnership with the Government and selected Civil Society Organizations to facilitate a robust victim care environment in Trinidad and Tobago and strengthen the support services to SoTs.

To view the Situation Assessment and Training Assessment, click the links below:

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  https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/documents/2023-06/her-ctip-situational-assessment_12_6_2023.pdf  (Direct link to the Situation Assessment)
• https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/documents/2023-06/her-ctip-report-on-training-needs-assessment_12-june-2023.pdf (Direct link to the Training Needs Assessment)

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For additional information, please contact the Reporting and Communications Officer at IOM Port-of-Spain, Ms. Kandy Serrant, at kserrant@iom.int

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