Jamaica’s National Rapporteur on trafficking in persons has highlighted the need for enactment of legislation specifically for sports related human trafficking.

The issue was raised on Thursday, during the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons conversations on trafficking forum, under the theme ‘Unmasking the game: a look at human trafficking in sports’. 

Mrs. Diahann Gordon Harrison stressed that with Jamaica being a sporting nation, there is a risk of sports related trafficking, so steps must be taken to curb this act.

She cited a 2017 case, in which a man trafficked young boys on the pretence of being part of a football training camp, only to be sent on the streets to beg money from passing motorists. 

She said the accused man had to be charged, convicted and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, under existing begging laws, because Jamaica doesn’t have legislation relating to human trafficking for sports.

Mrs. Gordon Harrison explained that there are various ways by which persons can be trafficked via sports.

Held in observance of world day against trafficking in persons, the forum served to bring awareness to human trafficking in sports and the impact that this gross violation of human rights can have on victims.

It engaged local anti-trafficking stakeholders, coaches and sporting associations, as well as community leaders, law enforcement and social service providers.

The aim was to explore the intersection of human trafficking and sports, and to strengthen collaborative efforts in prevention, protection and prosecution.