Solomon Islands - IOM Honiara is today hosting a three-day training on human trafficking in collaboration with the Solomon Islands Immigration Division for provincial law enforcement and key stakeholders in Auki, Malaita Province.

This will be the second in a series of provincial trainings to be rolled out over the course of a project funded by the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

IOM Honiara Head of Office Nicole Hoagland said: “The Immigration Division is taking a lead role in promoting counter-trafficking efforts in the Solomon Islands. IOM is partnering with the Division to increase law enforcement and service provider capacity at the central and provincial level to recognize and respond to the problem.”

The trainings aim to equip law enforcement and key stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively identify victims of trafficking and to ensure a stronger protection framework offering victims access to appropriate psychosocial support.

The trainings also seek to contribute to the enforcement of the Solomon Islands Immigration Act, which criminalizes human trafficking, for improved case investigation and prosecution measures.

Hoagland noted:  “We hope that training participants walk away with a practical understanding of how to identify, investigate and report cases of trafficking and, more importantly, how to assist victims they may encounter in their daily work.”

Some 20 participants are taking part in the training, including representatives from law enforcement, local service providers and community organizations based in Malaita Province.

The first provincial training was held in Western Province in February 2016, bringing together officers from police, customs, biosecurity, immigration and forestry, alongside representatives from the Social Welfare Division, Save the Children and Public Solicitor’s Office. The training was the first provincial-level event to tackle the issue of human trafficking in the Solomon Islands.

Trainings will be facilitated by trainers from IOM and members of the Trafficking in Persons Advisory Committee (TIPAC), including the Immigration Division.

For more information please contact Nicole Hoagland at IOM Honiara, Tel: +677 22536, Email: iomhoniara@iom.int