Trafficking in Persons Interim Assessment - St. Vincent and the Grenadines

[From the introductory text accompanying this report on the U.S. Department of State website: "In most cases, the Interim Assessment is intended to serve as a tool by which to gauge the anti-trafficking progress of countries that may be in danger of slipping a tier in the upcoming June 2010 TIP Report and to give them guidance on how to avoid a Tier 3 ranking. It is a tightly focused progress report, assessing the concrete actions a government has taken to address the key deficiencies highlighted in the June 2009 TIP Report. The Interim Assessment covers actions undertaken between the beginning of May – the cutoff for data covered in the June TIP Report – and November. Readers are requested to refer to the annual TIP Report for an analysis of large-scale efforts and a description of the trafficking problem in each particular country or territory."]

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has made minimal progress in addressing concerns raised in the 2009 Report. It worked closely with an outside expert to coordinate anti-trafficking efforts and to draft, enact and implement a comprehensive anti-trafficking law. The government investigated two potential human trafficking cases but has not yet initiated any prosecutions in these or other cases. The government showed a clear commitment to educate officials, law enforcement agencies, social service providers, and the public about the crime of human trafficking and ways with which to identify suspected cases of trafficking. The Prime Minister made the first-ever address to parliament on human trafficking issues following the release of the 2009 Report and requested outside assistance in educating the public sector and the general public about trafficking in persons.