As part of the IACT Program, Warnath Group is working with community-based multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) to strengthen their capacity to conduct preliminary identification, referral, and protection of child trafficking victims. As the frontline in local protection efforts, MDT practitioners will also be engaged to support the reintegration of child trafficking victims in their communities. In close collaboration with PANI and CONACOES, the Local Subsystems of Protection (SSLPs) were identified and engaged as local MDTs to receive ongoing specialized training and technical assistance. Through these strengthened SSLPs, presumed child sex trafficking victims will be preliminarily identified and referred for formal identification and assistance by the Immediate Response Team (ERI) and through the National Coalition Against the Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons (CONATT) referral mechanism.

After foundational meetings and work planning, Warnath Group conducted first meetings with three SSLPs in Guanacaste Province in April 2022 – in the cantons of Carrillo, Santa Cruz, and La Cruz. On May 17, Warnath Group’s team conducted the first MDT training on identification, referral, protection and reintegration child trafficking victims with the SSLP in La Cruz. The one-day participatory training was attended by 22 people from 14 different institutions in the canton of La Cruz. The training was facilitated by Warnath Group Experts Carolina Suárez Madriz and Virginia Elizondo.

This training was made possible through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP), and with the assistance of the National Child Welfare Agency (PANI) and the National Commission Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (CONACOES).

For more information, please contact Warnath Group at IACT@warnathgroup.com and updates are available at @WarnathGroup and at www.WarnathGroup.com.

Click through to see each photo in the gallery, and to read the captions.

Share This
[