KINGSTON, Jamaica--Head of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Carl Berry is calling on consumers to mimic the United States (US) policy and boycott businesses that support child labour and other forms of human trafficking.
“Sadly paedophiles, they are out there in restaurants, in hotels; and I must say we must commit ourselves to do something tangible. And one of the things that you can do is refuse to do business with companies that support child labour or forced labour, child trafficking or human trafficking,” DSP Berry charged.
“Right now the US has a policy: no government agency can purchase from you if you are deemed to be so involved. Let’s do that in our own small corner, because they [business establishments – Ed.] want our money and if you refuse to give it, they might think about another business venture,” he continued.
He suggested that, “sadly, some of these children end up in brothels [and – Ed.] strip clubs.”
“And for escort services, we are seeing the young ones, because it is said that the young ones have a longer shelf life; and there is a talk on the ground, [that – Ed.] it is believed that the mileage is lower,” the head of the JCF Anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit revealed.
He was speaking on the second day of the two-day National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons Human Trafficking International Conference 2018 at the Melia Braco Village in Trelawny, Thursday.
The senior cop also called on medical practitioners to assist in the war against trafficking in persons, by looking out for scars on potential victims which could indicate the removal of body parts.
“We know that they want kidneys. And the United Nations has mandated law enforcement … not only should we rescue and provide care, but we should also examine individuals to see if any body part or parts was or were removed.
“It is difficult for the police to say strip down … All victims who are exposed has a right to medical care; we ask medical practitioners, since you have the power, to do it, just do this for us.
“And surprise, surprise, whilst examining one of our victims we found tattoos that are of evidential nature, so please, medical practitioners, help us,” he begged.
Arguing that “we have failed to adequately prepare this generation for the challenges posed by technology,” DSP Berry reflected on “chat and online sharing as positives, and was created for that, but there are several negatives.”
He highlighted the threat posed to students who post their photos online dressed in their school uniforms.
“Under no circumstances should you give out personal information. No child should have on their profile their school uniform. Why is that dangerous? If I have your name and I know where you are, and I have your picture because I can take it off your profile, do I have to ask anybody where you are? Every school, sadly, has a gate which they use for entry and exit. So I just have to turn up at the gate and look for who I want,” the DSP said. ~ Jamaica Observer ~
