The notion that the Trafficking In Person (TIP) scourge is mostly perpetuated against the people of far flung areas, especially indigenous communities, has been proven incorrect.
The latest annual report of the Ministerial Task Force on TIP stated that most victims of TIP in Guyana were taken from Region 4. Also, in many cases the perpetuators of the TIP crime were known to and in some instances, related to the victims.
The report stated, “The majority of incidences of alleged trafficking in persons from 2014-2016 occurred in Region 4 with 44.2 percent followed by Region 7 with 22.3 percent. Other notable locations were Region 8 (9.1 percent), Region 1 (6.6 percent) and Caribbean Countries (5.6percent). It should be noted, however, that Region 4 is the most densely populated Region in Guyana with approximately 15 times the population of Region 7, 31 times the population of Region 8 and 12 times the population of Region 1.”
In 2016, there were 98 alleged victims of TIP stemming from 38 reported cases. This was higher than figures quoted for years 2014 and 2015. The years 2014 and 2015 had 18 cases each.
Of the 38 cases reported in 2016, 30 were sent for legal advice and 19 TIP chares were laid.
These cases involved 55 alleged perpetrators, up from 32 in 2015 and 26 in 2014.
The report stated that for the years 2014-2016, each year has seen an increase in the number of alleged victims TIP in Guyana. It is the contention of the Task Force that much of the
increase in reported cases can be attributed to the increase in awareness about among the
general populace.
Females dominated reports on TIP from 2014 to 2016 with 89.3 percent while alleged male victims accounted for 10.7%.
The stats show that persons between ages 12-18 were the most vulnerable age group in Guyana followed by the 19-25 age groups.
The general trend was a decrease in the prevalence of alleged TIP victims with the older age groups strongly suggesting that younger individuals were most vulnerable to the
crime. However, the report noted that each of the age groups recorded alleged victims, suggesting that no one was immune.
