Ja taking steps to combat human trafficking in sports
Published:Friday | August 1, 2025 | 9:33 AMBryan Miller/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Human trafficking, now globally recognised as a serious and pervasive criminal issue, has taken on a new and concerning dimension – its emergence in the world of sports. As law enforcement agencies around the world join forces to combat trafficking, Jamaican authorities are also turning their focus to this alarming trend.
In response, the Office of the National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (ONRTIP) has been actively highlighting the issue through organised forums that explore the specific challenges related to human trafficking in sports. The second of these discussions was held on Thursday at the Princess Hotel in Hanover.
Diahann Gordon Harrison, Jamaica’s national rapporteur on trafficking in persons, spoke with The Gleaner following the event, which was held under the theme ‘Unmasking the Game: A Look at Human Trafficking in Sports’. She emphasised the relevance of the topic, pointing out that Jamaica is a nation passionate about sports, boasting world-class athletes, talented coaches, strong sporting associations, and a massive fan base.
“That is a perfect recipe for exploitation by persons who do not mean us well, and so, the conversation today that had representatives from various ministries, departments and agencies, coaches, sporting association, schools, you name it, gave me very great courage, because it said that the various players and stakeholders, who are relevant to the discussions, are here,” shew said. “It has now opened a greater appetite to be curious about the issue.”
Gordon Harrison added that curiosity can drive education, build awareness, and support early intervention.
While only two cases of human trafficking in sports have been successfully prosecuted in Jamaica to date, she stressed that the country has strong legislation in place.
“In fact, from 2007, Jamaica has had our Trafficking in Persons Prevention, Suppression and Punishment Act, which provides for anyone at all, who is found to be harbouring someone, transferring, transporting, receiving or violating that person in any way for exploitative purposes, that person can be arrested and prosecuted for human trafficking,” she said, noting that the offence carries serious penalties.
However, Gordon Harrison pointed out a gap: the legislation does not specifically define or address “sports trafficking”.
“So, the conversation today is to raise the awareness about the fact that sports trafficking is a thing, and that because Jamaica is such a sports-centric nation, we should perhaps look at it specifically,” she said, arguing that the ONRIP will be lobbying for the definition to be included within the legislation. “We will be speaking about broadening the different types of trafficking that we have, to include sports trafficking specifically.”
Michael Morgan, chief technical director in the Ministry of National Security with responsibility for law enforcement, also spoke to The Gleaner, noting the timeliness of the discussion as part of Anti-Human Trafficking Week.
“Looking at human trafficking through the lens of sports is actually very timely, especially because of how well Jamaica has been doing on the international stage, and the elevated interest on sports in Jamaica,” he said, arguing that the discussion has jolted all the relevant players to have a good look at the issue very pointedly, and look for gaps in the legislative and other framework to be addressed.
“The good thing about Jamaica is that we have done a lot of work in strengthening our anti-trafficking in persons framework. The truth is that sports is a symbol of excellence for Jamaica, and so we have to safeguard that, and that is what makes these conversations so impactful,” he said.