For the first 10 years following the coming into force of the Trafficking in Persons Act, Chap. 12:10 of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the country recorded no convictions, despite numerous persons being prosecuted for offenses under the Act. This challenge was regularly referenced in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report released by the U.S. Department of State.
Engagement and Collaboration
The Caribbean Program of Free the Slaves met senior representatives of the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago in February 2023 at the Freedom from Slavery Caribbean Regional Forum in Port of Spain. The Honourable Justice Charmaine Pemberton, J.A., actively engaged in Forum discussions on prosecution and across the other two days of the event.
In March 2024—against the backdrop of the country recording its first conviction and policy and legislative changes to expedite the hearing of trafficking in persons cases—FTS’s Bukeni Waruzi and Adrian Alexander met virtually with senior members of the Judiciary and the Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (JEITT) to explore collaboration on a Trafficking in Persons workshop. Participants included the President of the JEITT, the Honourable Justice Gillian Lucky, J.A.; the Chairman of the JEITT, the Honourable Justice Charmaine Pemberton, J.A.; and the Honourable Justice Maria Wilson, J.A.
The Trafficking in Persons Sensitization Workshop
After months of planning, the Trafficking in Persons Sensitization Workshop convened on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July 2025 at the Judicial Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain.
Designed with a multidimensional approach, the workshop aimed to:
- Address the identification of victims and the prosecution of perpetrators of trafficking in persons (TiP).
- Explore the interplay between domestic and international legal frameworks, with attention to TiP’s intersection with criminal, quasi-criminal, civil, and family law.
- Examine current deficiencies in victim care, support, and reintegration strategies.
Its objectives were to:
- Strengthen judicial capacity to adjudicate TiP cases.
- Enhance understanding of relevant legislative and procedural frameworks.
- Develop and promote victim-centric adjudication, recognizing that perpetrators may be victims themselves.
- Promote judicial responsibility and accountability.
Participation
In addition to the Executive of the JEITT, the workshop was attended by the then Chief Justice, the Honourable Justice Ivor Archie; Justices of Appeal; High Court judges; masters; magistrates; registrars; and court administration staff.
Execution involved representatives of FTS and several members of the Leadership Committee of the Caribbean Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons (CCATIP), launched in July 2024. Dr. Jason Haynes, Dr. Cherisse Francis, and Ms. Shamere McKenzie presented virtually, and Mrs. Andreina Briceno Ventura Brown of La Casita Hispanic Cultural Centre attended in person.
Centering Survivors and Justice
In opening remarks, Bukeni Waruzi posed the question, “What does Justice mean to Survivors?”, shifting focus to those most affected by trafficking in persons. Adrian Alexander’s icebreaker invited participants to identify changes they would make to the law to do justice for survivors, prompting suggestions for amendments to the TiP Act and policy, staffing, and administrative improvements across the justice system.
Key Presentations and Insights
Jason Haynes presented international legal frameworks, including statistics on estimated annual global profits of 26 billion sterling from TiP, the predominance of women and girls among victims, and the role of facilitators and buyers of commercial sex who often evade prosecution. He emphasized that “survivors of trafficking are worthy of protection” even if they do not want to participate in prosecutions or were forced to commit offenses during their trafficking experience.
Cherisse Francis examined the institutional and legal frameworks of Trinidad and Tobago, comparing local law to global standards and distinguishing trafficking in persons from migrant smuggling—an insight several participants found helpful. On day two, she underscored the need for culturally competent, trauma-informed, and survivor-informed adjudication. Participants praised her use of regional case studies.
Given that most TiP victims identified in Trinidad and Tobago are from Latin America, participants benefited from Andreina Briceno Ventura Brown’s presentation on cultural competence to build trust and prevent revictimization of Latin American and Warao (indigenous) survivors. Beginning her talk in fluent Spanish highlighted the disadvantage non-English speakers face in court. She noted that trauma is expressed differently across cultures, and there is no universal way survivors will present as witnesses.
As a Survivor Leader and Liberator, Shamere McKenzie reinforced these principles, describing how intimidating court can be for victims and survivors of any crime, including TiP. She emphasized that rapport-building is part of trauma-informed care and stated that survivor-centred care is not a favour, but a requirement for justice. She challenged participants to make room for survivor leadership in the justice system.
Other presenters included Mr. Shingo Myiake of the International Labour Organization Caribbean Office on international frameworks related to forced labour; Mr. Allan Meiguel, Director of the Counter Trafficking Unit, on local statistics of identified trafficking victims and CTU efforts; Dr. Jennifer Dolly, Behaviour Specialist, on how trauma affects the brain and can hinder linear testimony; and Ms. Greisy Gonzalez, Psychologist (now also a member of CCATIP), on the risks of secondary trauma for judges and judicial officers and coping mechanisms.
Closing, Follow-Up, and Feedback
In closing remarks, Adrian Alexander referenced the first annual observance of Judicial Wellbeing Day (July 25) and invited judges and judicial officers to complete the Self-Care Survey measuring knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Caribbean anti-trafficking stakeholders. He also invited participants to register for the Caribbean Anti-Trafficking Conference (21–24 July), where the CTU would present alongside prosecutors and judges from other jurisdictions that have adjudicated more TiP cases.
According to information from the JEITT, the response from the Judiciary to register for the workshop was very positive. A total of 83 people attended. Most participants rated the workshop “Excellent,” with others rating it “Good.” Feedback indicated appreciation for the content and clarity on how to apply it in participants’ respective areas of the justice system.
Looking Ahead
As the JEITT and the Judiciary continue strengthening judicial capacity to adjudicate TiP cases, Free the Slaves looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate in advancing victim-centred adjudication, accountability, and effective prosecution within Trinidad and Tobago’s justice system.
