Mrs. Diahann Gordon Harrison, Jamaica’s first National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, was appointed by the Executive arm of the Government of Jamaica (the Cabinet) on March 10, 2015 in that capacity. Though appointed then, there was no structural or budgetary support established and as such,under the leadership of Mrs. Gordon Harrison, one of the first items of business was to secure some degree of support for the performance of the expected functions,…..

 in the form of both budgetary provision and human resources. In this regard, there was some modest success and in 2016 one (1) member of staff was recruited and a start-up budget (albeit small) was allotted to the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons in April 2016; this effectively marked the inception date of the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (ONRTIP).

Since its inception, the ONRTIP, albeit with a current staff complement of  just four (4) individuals including the National Rapporteur, has actively participated in and contributed to the fight against Human Trafficking and has effectively carried out its function within the Jamaican context. Under the leadership of Mrs. Gordon Harrison, one of the first items of business was to secure some degree of support for the performance of the expected functions, in the form of both budgetary provision and human resources…..

 partnerships and collaborations aimed at advancing Jamaica’s counter-trafficking profile, and assisting with  the national thrust to build the capacity of first responders and raise the public’s awareness on issues related to trafficking in persons.    It is an integral part of our mandate to research and report on the issue of trafficking in persons, consequently a number of publications have been produced over the years.