St. Lucia
Trafficking Routes
The Caribbean region is a point of transit and origin for trafficking to
Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, and many European
countries.
Factors That Contribute to the Trafficking Infrastructure
The growth of the sex tourism industry in the Caribbean and Central
America sparks demand for women in prostitution and fuels trafficking of women
and children.1
Forms of Trafficking
Trafficking in women and children for sexual exploitation is a growing
concern in the entire Caribbean region. Many children in the region are victims of
commercial sexual exploitation, sex tourism, pornography, underage domestic
labor, and trafficking.2
Government Responses
In December 2004, the government of Saint Lucia adopted a new Criminal
Code.3 The new code came into force on 1 January 2005.4
Inducing sexual intercourse or sexual connection by force, duress, or false
or fraudulent representation or by administering a drug stupefying or
overpowering another person is an offense punishable by imprisonment for 14
years.5 The Criminal Code prohibits sexual intercourse with a person under 12
years of age. Punishment is imprisonment for life.6 If a person is older than 12
but younger than 16, punishment is imprisonment for 15 years.7
The Criminal Code defines a brothel as “a place resorted to by persons of
either sex for the purpose of prostitution.”8 Unlawful detention of a person on
premises or in a brothel with intent to have sexual intercourse is punishable by
“Ricky Martin, U.S. Labor Secretary to Meet on Child Labor,” Agence France Presse, 24 September
2003.
2
“Ricky Martin, U.S. Labor Secretary to Meet on Child Labor,” Agence France Presse, 24 September
2003.
3
Law No. 9 of 2004.
4
The Criminal Code was signed on 2 December 2004 and published in an extraordinary issue of the Saint
Lucia Gazette on 14 December 2004.
5
Article 125.
6
Article 126.
7
Article 127.
8
Article 122.
1
imprisonment for 10 years.9 Keeping a brothel is punishable by a fine or by
imprisonment for 3 years.10 Any female who trades in prostitution is subject to
punishment by imprisonment for 2 to 5 years.11 Anyone who solicits prostitution is
punishable by a fine.12 Living on earnings from prostitution is punishable by
imprisonment for 2 to 5 years.13
Procuring, aiding, or abetting another person to become a common
prostitute within or outside of Saint Lucia, to leave Saint Lucia to become an
inmate of or to frequent a brothel, or to leave his or her usual place of abode in
Saint Lucia to become an inmate of or to frequent a brothel is an offense
punishable by imprisonment for 7 years. The same punishment applies to
anyone who procures any male or female under 18 years of age to have unlawful
sexual intercourse or sexual connection with another person within or outside
Saint Lucia.14 A parent or guardian is prohibited from procuring or abetting
defilement. Punishment is imprisonment for 5 years. If a victim is under 12 years
of age, punishment is enhanced to 15 years.15
The Criminal Code criminalizes abducting a person with intent to cause
that person to be married to or to have sexual intercourse or sexual connection
with another person.16 Anyone who abducts an unmarried person under 16 years
of age is subject to imprisonment for 5 years.17 Anyone who abducts another
person with intent to marry or defile such a person is subject to imprisonment for
14 years.18 Stealing a child under 12 years of age is punishable by imprisonment
for 7 years.19 The Criminal Code punishes anyone who kidnaps another person
by imprisonment for 10 years.20 False imprisonment is punishable by
imprisonment for 1 to 2 years.21
9
Article 135.
Article 143.
11
Article 149.
12
Article 150.
13
Article 151.
14
Article 141.
15
Article 142.
16
Article 160.
17
Article 162.
18
Article 163.
19
Article 172.
20
Article 120(1).
21
Article 121.
10