Published 17 April 2017
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 16th 2017 – Allegations of trafficking in sex workers as well as labor trafficking Department of State Human Rights Report on the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“While there were no confirmed reports during the year that St. Kitts and Nevis was a source, destination, or transit country for victims of human trafficking, human rights activists alleged that some sex workers were victims of trafficking, and in 2015 there was a credible allegation of labor trafficking,” said the terse statement submitted in the 41st annual report to the US Congress by Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson.
The Report also stated that child abuse is a major problem in St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Neglect was the most common form of abuse, while physical abuse including sexual molestation is prevalent and widespread. In many instances cases originally reported as neglect revealed other types of abuse upon further investigation. Sexual abuse and exploitation were problems, although the government believed that awareness increased,” the Human Rights Report on St. Kitts and Nevis said.
The Report noted that the Team Unity Government of Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris disbanded The Probation and Child Welfare Board after it took office in mid-February 2015 “as of October, it had been reorganized with new members appointed during the year.”
It was not until 2016 that the new Board was reconstituted after former Gender Affairs and Social Development minister and Parliamentary Representative for Central Basseterre, Hon. Marcella Liburd criticized the government publicly for not reappointing new members.
The Human Rights Report further noted that the Team Unity Government admitted to a rise in runaway teenage girls in St. Kitts, some of whom were placed in the Children’s Home.
“NGOs reported that sexual exploitation and molestation of children remained a major problem. The law sets the age of consent at 16 years. Under the statutory rape law, having sexual relations with children under age 16 is illegal, with penalties ranging from probation to life in prison, but no cases were prosecuted during the year. In cases of pregnancy where the mother was under the age of consent, the mother often refused to name the father due to fear that if the father faced prosecution, she would have no financial support for herself and the child,” the Report said
It stated that child pornography is illegal and carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Photo 1 – U.S. Secretary of State, Rex W. Tillerson
Photo 2 – St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris
Photos 3 – Man at work
