ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), was invited to participate at the Pacific Islands Law Officers Network (PILON) Meeting in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, on October 25-28, 2016. PILON is a network of senior public law officers from Pacific Island countries, including Australia and New Zealand, which focuses on common legal issues within the Pacific region. PILON was established in 1982 and holds meetings annually. Member countries of PILON are Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Pitcairn Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
U.S. Attorney Limtiaco gave presentations on, “An Overview of Sex Crime Investigations & Prosecutions," Cybercrime Awareness, and “A Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking."
U.S. Attorney Limtiaco discussed strategies and approaches regarding the preparation and prosecution of sexual assault cases, including child sexual abuse and exploitation cases, domestic and family violence and child physical abuse cases.
U.S. Attorney Limtiaco spoke about cybersecurity as a top priority for the U.S. Government and the critical need to secure the nation’s networks and information from exploitation and damage. She also discussed cybercrimes such as identity theft and other online fraud schemes and the importance of protecting one’s privacy on social media.
U.S. Attorney Limtiaco shared information on the Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking Initiative (the “Initiative"), which is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI; the U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; the U.S. Department of Labor; the U.S. Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs; the Guam HTTF; the NMI HTIC; and other community partners. U.S. Attorney Limtiaco also elaborated on the intersection and relationship between human trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse and domestic and family violence, and prevention and enforcement efforts in the Pacific region.
The Initiative employs a multidisciplinary model, including participation, coordination, and collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers, social services, medical, mental and public health professionals, faith based organizations, educational institutions, Consulates, and other community stakeholders. The Initiative calls for the establishment and provision of victim services, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, training opportunities, community outreach/ public awareness and prevention programs, and creation of human trafficking task forces and coalitions in the Pacific region island communities. The Initiative also provides fundamental training in human trafficking, including victimization, investigation and prosecution, prevention efforts, and other related topics to law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers, social services, medical, mental and public health professionals, faith based organizations, educational institutions, Consulates, and other community stakeholders in our Pacific region island communities, which is critical to effective prevention and enforcement efforts in the region.
The PILON workshop was attended by representatives from the countries of Australia, Cook Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
