IOM and Japan support efforts against trafficking and abuse

• Renovate Bureau for Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with generous funding assistance from the Government of Japan, successfully renovated the Bureau for the Prevention and Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women (PCWB). 

The handover ceremony, which took place at the refurbished premises, was graced by the presence of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka Minister/Deputy Head of Mission Kamoshida Naoaki, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, and IOM Chief of Mission – Sri Lanka and Maldives Kristin Parco.

This endeavour was undertaken as part of the project ‘Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills, and promote safe and regular migration’ (UPLIFT) funded by the Government of Japan. The support extended included the renovation of the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and the 109 Public Complaint Desk.

Additional assistance included upgrading temporary accommodation facilities for women survivors of violence with a dedicated space for children, conducting trainings on ‘Identifying and Responding to Human Trafficking’ for 109 hotline operators, and equipping 19 PCWB Divisional Offices in the Nuwara Eliya district with furniture and IT equipment. The total expenditure for these efforts amounted to $ 166,000.

The principal aim of these interventions is to strengthen the capacity of the PCWB to handle critical cases of trafficking, abuse, and other crimes affecting children and women. This initiative aligns with the IOM’s broader objective to support the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) in its mission to counter trafficking-in-persons in Sri Lanka. The successful implementation of these upgrades is the outcome of a thorough assessment conducted by the IOM to ensure that the renovations complement the unique operational needs of the PCWB. 

PCWB Head Deputy Inspector General of Police Renuka Jayasundera expressed immense satisfaction with the renovation process, which was carried out within an accelerated time frame, and remarked: “This facility is a beacon of hope for countless women and children in desperate need of assistance. The renovations not only enhance the safety of our survivors but also improve our ability to support them with dignity and respect. We are grateful to the IOM and the Government of Japan for their unwavering support in making this possible.”

The IOM’s support to the PCWB extended beyond donating physical infrastructure and included training and capacity building to equip staff with the necessary skills to handle cases with sensitivity and expertise. The IOM provided capacity-building support to selected officers of the newly established 109 hotline dedicated to receiving reports of abuse of women and children to effectively identify trafficking cases and utilise victim-centric and trauma-informed approaches when handling cases.

Kamoshida stated: “By renovating this Bureau and strengthening the capacity of officers who work directly with victims, we believe we are making meaningful strides in preventing abuse of women and children. We sincerely hope the equipment provided under this project will be effectively used for years to come.”

Kamoshida also added: “Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening the protection and empowerment of vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka. Let us continue to work together for a future where women and children are free from violence and exploitation.”

Parco, commenting on the milestone, noted: “The IOM, in recognition of the importance of capacitating State institutions towards the fight against trafficking-in-persons, has provided multifaceted support to the Government of Sri Lanka over the years. Our support has been tailored in alignment with the National Strategic Action Plan to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (2021-2025).”

“We are confident that with the upgraded facilities and capacitated officers, the PCWB will continue to make significant strides in combatting trafficking, violence, and other crimes that disproportionately affect women and children,” she added.

These efforts, aimed at bolstering the PCWB’s holistic operational capacity, align with the IOM’s strategic objective of ‘saving lives and protecting people on the move,’ enhancing resilience among the most vulnerable.