Human Trafficking council meets more than a year after Bryan announcement

More than a year after Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. first announced that he would be implementing a 2018 law meant to combat human trafficking, Government House has announced that the V.I. Council on Human Trafficking held its first meeting.

The Bryan administration took up the legislation in the wake of Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 arrest and suicide, and civil litigation by his victims against high-profile members of the V.I. government is still ongoing. According to a statement issued by Government House on Thursday, Bryan expressed “his heartfelt concern for the protection of victims and the prevention of future occurrences.”

Deputy Attorney General Ian Clement was appointed chairman of the Council, which first met Wednesday. Deputy Attorney General Ian Clement was appointed chairman of the Council, which first met Wednesday.

“Defined as the recruitment and transport of people by force or deception for the purpose of labor, sexual exploitation or activities that benefit others financially, Council members acknowledged that human trafficking has been taking place in the Territory for years,” according to the news release.“Defined as the recruitment and transport of people by force or deception for the purpose of labor, sexual exploitation or activities that benefit others financially, Council members acknowledged that human trafficking has been taking place in the Territory for years,” according to the news release.