Botswana-29th Session, January 2018-Sexual exploitation / slavery

Para 78) To address and investigate human trafficking and sexual exploitation, the Botswana Police Service has put the following measures in place:

•             Establishment of the Anti-Human Trafficking desk;

•             Capacity building of officers dealing with such cases;

•             Use of forensic expertise;

•             Stakeholder cooperation and collaborations, both locally and internationally. This include investigation support, repatriation of victims, amongst others;

•             Community out-reach, especially in the areas along the borders.

Para 79) Government through the Ministry of Justice has also facilitated targeted trainings to frontline officials such as immigration offices; political leaders and traditional leaders so as to better detect and refer the crime to law enforcement. The Ministry is also spearheading the Anti-Human Trafficking (Amendment) Bill of 2023 to address legislative deficiencies which also include eliminating the option of fines in lieu of custodial sentences for offenders. A national consultative workshop to this end was conducted in December 2022. Such stringent measures will therefore increase deterrence of the crime for both local and transnational cases or incidences of the crime.

Para 150) The cybercrime forensic capability has also contributed positively to crime investigation and detection, especially on offensive electronic communication, fraud, criminal defamation as well as in case of child pornography.