The Tribune

A BAHAMIAN official has been honoured by the US State Department for efforts in the global fight against human trafficking.

Karen Rigby, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, was named a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Hero for her work as Chair of the government’s Trafficking in Persons Inter-Ministry Committee (TIP Committee) and advisory role in Bahamian defence and law enforcement agencies on policy and administrative matters.

This year's TIP report was released on Thursday, with US Secretary of State John Kerry honouring nine men and women as the 2016 TIP Report Heroes.

"In her position, Ms Rigby advises Bahamian defence and law enforcement agencies on policy and administrative matters, and chairs the government’s Trafficking in Persons Inter-Ministry Committee (TIP Committee)," read a statement from the US Embassy on Friday.

"Under Ms Rigby’s leadership as Chair, The Bahamas’ TIP Committee has become a cohesive force in the battle against human trafficking. 

"During her tenure, the TIP Committee developed victim protection protocols and a National Action Plan that have been showcased in the region as examples of best practices.

"Her dedication and unceasing efforts have been instrumental in bringing together and energising all sectors of the Bahamian government to achieve a coordinated strategy to combat trafficking in persons."

The Bahamas maintained its tier one standing in the latest report, fully meeting minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

The report maintained its characterisation of migrant workers from Haiti, Jamaica, Columbia and Venezuela as vulnerable populations, despite their voluntary arrivals, as they could be deceived by traffickers who lure them with fraudulent recruitment and false promises of employment.

The embassy statement continued: "The TIP Committee designed an innovative educational program for schools and conducted walk-abouts in vulnerable communities as part of an extensive campaign to raise public awareness about human trafficking. 

"Concerned that government officials and other first responders understand the need to combat human trafficking, Ms Rigby also ensures that police, immigration officers, prosecutors, social workers, medical personnel, labour inspectors, and the TIP Committee’s civil society partners regularly receive training to identify and assist victims of human trafficking."

The theme of this year’s report is “Meeting the Challenge: Effective Strategies to Prevent Human Trafficking.”