Warnath Group is working with community-based multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) in Costa Rica, called Local Subsystems of Protection (SSLPs), to strengthen their capacity to conduct preliminary identification, referral, and protection of child trafficking victims. As the frontline in local protection efforts, MDT practitioners also support the recovery and reintegration of child trafficking victims in their communities.
This work with MDTs, which commenced in early 2022, is ongoing and will expand over the course of the IACT Program. Through these strengthened SSLPs, possible child and adolescent trafficking victims are being 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.
On March 1, Warnath Group conducted a foundational training session with the SSLP in the canton of Puerto Jiménez and on March 2, Warnath Group conducted a foundational training session with the SSLP in the canton of Corredores. These trainings focused on understanding child trafficking, how trafficking in persons occurs in Costa Rica, dispelling myths and misconceptions about child trafficking, the five steps of victim protection and the role of SSLPs at each of these steps.
IACT Program facilitators and members of the Corredores MDT.