The National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP), in partnership with Free a Girl and Scientia, today commenced a three-day Advanced Child Protection Training aimed at strengthening the knowledge, skills and capacity of key stakeholders involved in the protection of children and the fight against trafficking in persons.
The training brings together State Prosecutors, Police Officers, Immigration Officers, State Intelligence Service personnel, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in child protection, welfare and related areas. The training focuses particularly on Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) and the evolving use of digital technologies by traffickers and other criminals.
Mr. Matthew Joel Valentine, Global Counter Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) Director, shared his extensive experience as a former police officer and senior investigator with a strong background in child trafficking investigations. He urged participants to give their best throughout the training and encouraged them to take advantage of the opportunity for meaningful and in-depth discussions.
He emphasised that the participants are being equipped with knowledge and practical skills because combating trafficking in persons is a shared responsibility, and every stakeholder has an important role to play in protecting children and victims of trafficking.
Ms. Patchanittha Srikhum, Country Director of the Scientia Programme Thailand, highlighted the importance of equipping participants with new skills, knowledge and digital tools to combat child trafficking.
She noted that criminals are increasingly using digital technologies to facilitate their activities, while law enforcement and child protection actors must continuously strengthen their capacity to keep pace with these emerging threats. She stressed the need to ensure that those responsible for protecting children and victims of trafficking have the necessary tools and knowledge to respond effectively.
Ms. Jacqueline Stein, Operations Manager of Free a Girl USA, thanked NAATIP for its support and for facilitating the training. She expressed confidence that the programme will contribute significantly to building the capacity of participants through innovative approaches and digital skills in the fight against child trafficking and online sexual exploitation.
Opening Remarks
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Executive Director of NAATIP, Mr. Momodou Drammeh Program officer welcomed the training partners and participants and commended their commitment to the fight against trafficking in persons.
He noted that NAATIP, as the lead institution in the fight against trafficking in persons in The Gambia, cannot combat this crime alone, emphasising that partnership, collaboration and a coordinated response among stakeholders are essential.
Mr. Drammeh further stressed that trafficking in persons remains a serious and highly profitable criminal enterprise, placing a shared responsibility on all stakeholders to work together to prevent trafficking, protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
He urged participants to consider the training an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and practical skills, particularly in the use of digital tools, noting that as the world continues to evolve, those working to combat trafficking must evolve alongside it.
He subsequently declared the three-day training officially open on behalf of the Executive Director of NAATIP.
Training Sessions
Following the opening ceremony, the sessions commenced with an introduction to the Scientia Programme, followed by discussions on:
🔹OSEC victim profiles and typologies
🔹 Investigation structures and key elements
🔹 Investigators’ profiles and responsibilities
🔹 Intelligence gathering and analysis
🔹 Digital tools and emerging trends in child trafficking
Participants actively engaged in the sessions, shared their professional experiences and contributed to discussions on strengthening the national response to child trafficking and online sexual exploitation.NAATIP remains committed to strengthening partnerships and building the capacity of stakeholders to prevent trafficking, protect victims and prosecute perpetrators.
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