Sri Lanka: Training of Trainers Workshop Engages Police on UNODC's Anti-Trafficking in Persons Toolkit

 

Colombo, Sri Lanka/24 January 2020: UNODC conducted a 5-day training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop on the Training Toolkit on Anti-Trafficking in Persons, with law enforcement officials from the National Police Academy on 22-24 January in Colombo. Twenty-five senior level officers from the Sri Lanka Police participated in the workshop, which aimed at providing knowledge and skills to strengthen responses to counter human trafficking.

Validated by senior police officials, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Training Toolkit has a special focus on identification, investigation, prosecution of human trafficking offences and referrals for protection and assistance. The Toolkit contains specialized modules for law enforcement officials based on their specific functions and applicable laws and procedures in Sri Lanka. In addition, it features modules covering international legal framework, and international best practices related to victim assistance and protection.  

During the workshop, participants raised concerns related to 'vulnerability' and 'exploitation' and highlighted sexual exploitation as the main form of trafficking in Sri Lanka. Issues pertaining to investigating 'consent' of victims and identifying elements of 'means' were discussed. In the interactive sessions, participants analysed the situation in Sri Lanka vis-a-vis trafficking in persons, especially in the context of labour migration.

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Dave Newton, UNODC Consultant who formulated the Training of Trainers based on the practical aspects of the problem and provided simulations of human trafficking scenarios.

The Toolkit will be used for training delivery by the National Police Academy.

This activity was held in the framework of the UNODC project on "Strengthening the implementation of a comprehensive response to TIP in India and Sri Lanka", implemented as part of the UNODC Global Programme against TIP, jointly with the UNODC Regional Office for South Asia and with the financial support of the United Kingdom.

Aimed at strengthening responses to tackling TIP as evidenced by better identification of victims and initiation of investigations, this project also contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.