Addressing CSA in Spanish-Speaking Migrant Communities

Migrant/Asylum-Seeking Communities in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region of origin, transit and destination for intra- and extra-regional migrants, with the most recent fows attributed to refugee and economic migrants looking for employment opportunities and social stability. Among the major receiving countries of Caribbean and Latin American migrants are Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. As in other parts of the world, these migrants face exploitation during all aspects of the migration process, from negotiating to leave their countries of origin to navigating through political, legislative, economic, social and cultural systems in destination countries.

Migrant and refugee workers with irregular resident statuses are often subjected to high safety and health risks compared to those in regularised/legalised situations. Additionally, migration often results in the disintegration of family units. Family separation often predisposes children and minors to placement in the care of non-relations and other situations that increase their vulnerability to multiple forms of exploitation. The number of migrant children from Hispanic countries migrating to English-speaking territories has increased over the past 10 years (Bakker et al. 2009, 13).

Approximately one in fve migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean region (LAC) is a child or adolescent (The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [UNECLAC], 2010, 6). With these growing trends, undocumented migrants are increasingly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and child sexual abuse (CSA) as their caregivers navigate new country systems. Migrants often have to settle for residential and occupational circumstances that may place them at higher risk for exploitation and assault.