NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The fight against trafficking in persons in The Bahamas took on a new dimension on Wednesday, with the launch of the Ministry of National Security’s 24-hour Trafficking In Persons (TIP) Hotline.
The TIP Hotline is the first of its kind in The Bahamas and will be used exclusively to investigate TIP matters.
“This 24-hour dedicated hotline will allow victims and those who suspect a friend or loved one is being trafficked to anonymously report the crime,” said Minister of National Security Marvin Dames. “The introduction of the TIP Hotline punctuates the Government of The Bahamas’ commitment in combatting trafficking in this country.”
The new TIP hotline will be overseen by the TIP Secretariat personnel within the Ministry of National Security.
Callers will be able to access the TIP Hotline by dialling any of the following numbers:
- 376 – 8477(TIPS) 24 hours.
- On Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. persons can dial 326 – 0133.
- Family Island callers can access the hotline toll-free by calling 300 – 3339.
Trafficking in Persons is a global trans-national crime that affects every country as a source, transit or destination.
Also referred to as Modern Day Slavery, trafficking in persons is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by means of the threat or use of force or other means of coercion, or by abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability, or by the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation.” Chapter 106, Trafficking in Persons, 2008, [Prevention and Suppression] Act.
“We want to hasten the response time to victims of trafficking and thereby provide victims of trafficking another lifeline to secure assistance,” Dames said.
The new TIP hotline is dedicated to TIP victims alone and will build upon the existing hotlines in the country the Police 911 or 919, the National Hotline, 1-242-322-2763, manned by personnel and volunteers from the Department of Social Services, the Crisis Centre, 1-242-328- 0922, and Crime Stoppers, 1-242-328-8477, in New Providence and 1-242-300-8477, from the Family Islands, to rendering assistance to victims.
