A critical approach to understanding human trafficking in the Caribbean

Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry, which continues to prey upon the world's most vulnerable countries and populations. Women, children, and increasingly a large number of boys are exploited each day and put into situations of forced labour, sexual servitude, forced marriage and debt bondage. Caribbean nations, many of which have weak political structures, poor governance, and heightened levels of poverty, crime and illiteracy are among the transit and destination countries affected by trafficking. Miles of open unsecured borders and economies that are heavily reliant on tourism represent a haven for undocumented emigrants who are in search of employment and social mobility, and who ultimately fall victim to human trafficking. A lack of compliance by governments who do not abide by global trafficking standards, and inadequate laws and regulations allow many traffickers to go unpunished across the Caribbean region. This paper provides a critical analysis of the nations that are most vulnerable to this human rights issue, governments that are in compliance with global trafficking international laws, strategies for prevention and possible policy recommendations to ameliorate the effects of this crime and human rights abuse.