U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands Conducts Training in Palau, Pohnpei and Chuuk

          The U.S. Attorney’s Office (“USAO”) for the Districts of Guam and the NMI has been and continues to work collaboratively with the National District Attorney’s Association; U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs, Federal Ombudsman Office; and U.S. Department of State, Monitoring of Trafficking in Persons Office, on a Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking.  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.

          Participants also learned about human trafficking, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking, the seriousness of the problem, and how to identify, communicate with, and respond to the needs of victims.  Also discussed was a review of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act and other related federal laws.

          The second day brought to the participants an overview of technology, what cybercrime is and related issues such as terrorism.  Participants were also given an overview of bullying and cyberbullying; the seriousness of the problem; the impact on the community including youth suicide; enforcement efforts including civil rights lawsuits and consent decrees issued against school districts; and prevention efforts including public awareness outreaches to schools and parent groups, training of school districts, and other related activities.

           Participants were provided information about child sexual and physical abuse.  Also discussed were issues relating to children with special needs, and the relationship between child abuse and human trafficking of children.