Human Trafficking, also called Trafficking in Persons (TiP), is a serious national security concern for many countries in the Caribbean.  It is a crime that severely infringes on the human rights of the victims.  However, human trafficking is often mis-understood, and confused with migrant smuggling. The victims are also often criminalized, rather than being offered support and protection from further abuse.   

Recognizing the vital role that media plays in raising awareness and addressing this serious issue, IOM is committed to supporting and enhancing skills to report on TiP, to raise awareness of the issue, while avoiding further trauma to victim-survivors. 

IOM initiated two media training activities in the Caribbean region in the period between July and September 2023. 

Trinidad and Tobago 

In July 2023 journalists and communications officers from key government agencies and non-governmental organizations in Trinidad and Tobago participated in a training activity “Responsible Reporting on Human Trafficking”.  An editor’s roundtable was also held following the two-day training on Responsible Reporting on Human Trafficking.  

The training focused on clarifying terminology, for instance the difference between migrant smuggling, and human trafficking; generating story ideas, and interviewing techniques to ensure that the stories of victims of trafficking can be shared respectfully while preserving their privacy and dignity. 

The training series was conducted by communications and technical specialists from IOM under the Heal, Empower, Rise – Counter Trafficking in Persons Project funded by USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean.  

Here are some photos from the event. 

The Bahamas 

In August, IOM through its Western Hemisphere Program (WHP) funded by the US Department of State Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), and with the support of the Global Migration Media Academy (GMMA) hosted a two-day training for journalists in The Bahamas to share knowledge on how to report on migration through a human rights-based approach. Read more here: Journalists from The Bahamas join forces to report on migration with a human rights-based approach.