Karen G. I. Rigby

As the Under Secretary in the Ministry of National Security of The Bahamas, Karen G. I. Rigby assists in advising Bahamian defense and law enforcement agencies on policy and administrative matters, and chairs the government’s Trafficking in Persons Inter-Ministry Committee (TIP Committee).

Under Ms. Rigby’s leadership as Chair, The Bahamas’ TIP Committee has become a cohesive force in the battle against human trafficking. The Committee developed victim protection protocols and a National Action Plan that have been showcased in the region as examples of best practices.  The Committee designed an innovative educational program for schools and conducted outreach activities in vulnerable communities as part of an extensive campaign to raise public awareness about human trafficking. Ms. Rigby also ensures that police, immigration officers, prosecutors, social workers, medical personnel, labor inspectors, and the Committee’s civil society partners regularly receive training to identify and assist victims of human trafficking. 

Ms. Rigby’s dedicated efforts have been instrumental in bringing together and energizing all sectors of the Bahamian government to achieve a coordinated strategy to combat trafficking in persons.