Bryan Sends Newly-Funded Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation To Senate; Launches Raft of New Companion Initiatives

“Make no mistake, this is happening here in our territory, just as it is happening throughout the Caribbean, and the world,” said Governor Albert Bryan Jr. while at Gov't House announcing a new legislative initiative by the GVI to combat human trafficking in the territory.

He noted that the territory has porous borders with a significant number of people constantly transiting through. “Some of those people, unfortunately, are human cargo being trafficked through our territory,” he said. Mr. Bryan noted his administration’s efforts to reduce the vulnerability of undocumented people, including “easing the way to employment, establishing systems for ID making education more accessible, or just assuring that they have police presence and protection in their neighborhoods.”

Along these lines, the new initiative to combat human trafficking is intended to “once again make it safer for them and others in our community,” Governor Bryan said. Spurred by the courageous actions of the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein in coming forward, the governor indicated that Thursday’s joint announcement with Attorney General Ariel Smith would help to “save lives and prevent others from getting swept up in this horrendous cycle of abuse.”

Mr. Bryan announced the funding of the Victims of Human Trafficking Prevention Act, which was first spearheaded in 2018 by current St. Croix Administrator Samuel Sanes, who served three terms in the Senate representing St. Croix. The act, according to Mr. Bryan, was funded by part of the settlement money received from the GVI’s lawsuit against the Epstein estate, and would “create a mandatory reporting requirement for people who are in professions most likely to encounter human trafficking victims.” The measure would also encourage everyday citizens to call 911 if they notice something suspicious. Law enforcement would be required to take such complaints and pass them on to the Department of Justice for investigation. “If you see something, say something,” Governor Bryan urged, and he pressed the 35th Legislature to support the measure.

Alongside the now-funded draft legislation, the Department of Justice will soon launch a new campaign to help sensitize and educate the public as well as law enforcement about the signs of human trafficking. “Awareness is our greatest weapon,” said Governor Bryan, urging the populace to pay keen attention so that they can “identify suspect behavior and notify the proper authorities.” The campaign will include public service announcements and posters in key locations across the territory, discussing the signs, risks and consequences of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and “the increasing prevalence of online exploitation.”