Citizens encouraged to report signs of human trafficking

With July being designated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Awareness Month, officials are calling on all to join the fight against this crime.

In 2024, Guyana retained its Tier One ranking in the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report — a strong international endorsement of the country’s unwavering fight against human trafficking.

This year, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continues its call for every Guyanese citizen to play a role in keeping this momentum going.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud is encouraging citizens to report any suspicious activity, noting that their voices can help save lives.

“There are individuals who would like to escape from hardship and poverty. Sometimes in their quest for a better life, to keep their family safe, or to repay debt, vulnerable men, women and children are exploited through forced prostitution and labour,” she noted.

“Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights,” the minister stressed.

She noted that everyone can help by calling the TIP hotline 227-4083 or 623-5030.

The ministry says the fight against trafficking requires the help of all — and that by working together to keep Guyana at the top and ensure that every person is protected from exploitation.

The United Nations (UN) has reported that globally, the threat of human trafficking continues to grow, noting that it is an organised crime driven by powerful criminal networks.

According to the UN, from 2020 to 2023, more than 200,000 victims were detected across the world — a figure experts say barely scratches the surface, as many more cases remain unreported.

The report says that traffickers exploit migration flows, supply chains, legal loopholes and even digital platforms to profit from forced labour, sexual exploitation, and criminal coercion — including online scams and drug smuggling.

While some progress has been made, the UN says the global justice systems are struggling to keep up.

Experts have also stressed the need for stricter enforcement, stronger cross-border cooperation, proactive investigations, and the use of technology to dismantle these criminal networks, noting more importantly, that a victim-centred approach is essential — ensuring survivors receive justice, protection, and the support they need to rebuild their lives.