19th Micronesian Chief Executives Summit Invites U.S. Attorney To Speak On “Preventing Human Trafficking In The Pacific Region”

United States Attorney ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), and Sarah Thomas-Nededog, Vice-President, West Care Pacific Islands, were invited to speak at the Micronesian Chief Executives Summit (MCES) held on December 4-6, 2013, in Saipan, NMI.  The MCES is composed of the Chief Executives of the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the NMI, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.  The Governors of each of the Federated States of Micronesia -- Chuuk, Yap, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, are also members. The primary purpose of the MCES is to coordinate and implement regional strategies to assist its member jurisdictions.
 
 U.S. Attorney Limtiaco and Ms. Thomas-Nededog spoke on the topic of “Preventing Human Trafficking in the Pacific Region,” and shared information on the Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking initiative, which is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI, the National District Attorneys Association, the Department of State, the Department of the Interior, Guam Human Trafficking Task Force, NMI Human Trafficking Intervention Coalition, and other community partners. U.S. Attorney Limtiaco and Ms. Thomas-Nededog also discussed the intersection and relationship between human trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse and domestic and family violence, and prevention and enforcement efforts in the Pacific region.

The Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking initiative employs a multidisciplinary model, including participation, coordination, and collaboration among law enforcement; prosecution; victim service providers; social services; medical, mental and public health professionals; faith based organizations; educational institutions; Consulates; and other community stakeholders.  The response calls for the establishment and provision of victim services, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, training opportunities, community outreach/ public awareness and prevention programs, and creation of human trafficking task forces and coalitions in the Pacific region island communities.  Providing fundamental training in human trafficking, including victimization, investigation and prosecution, prevention efforts, and other related topics, to law enforcement; prosecution; victim service providers; social services; medical, mental and public health professionals; faith based organizations; educational institutions; Consulates; and other community stakeholders, in our Pacific region island communities, is critical to effective prevention and enforcement efforts in the region.

Photos of the summit are attached.

U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco

Sarah Thomas-Nededog, Vice President,
West Care Pacific Islands