120 – Hotels and Human Trafficking

During this episode 120, Hotels and Human Trafficking, Sandra Morgan and Dave Stachowiak discuss how the hotel industry can be involved in human trafficking and what the hotel industry can do to make better changes.  Sandra Morgan looks at the risks of sexual exploitation of sex trafficking happening in a hotel where the owners of the hotel have no idea what’s going on. Sandra talks about a program called ECPAT where hotels can sign up to learn how to create a plan to stop sexual exploitation in their own hotels. This starting point helps hotels decide what their strategy will be to help find a solution in ending child sex trafficking. ECPAT also gives suggestions for hotels to create their own policies and procedures. In order to end child sexual exploitation, we must recognize the value of every child and educate staff to understand the control mechanisms that the pimps use, and to not blame the victim. Hotels are uniquely positioned to also educate travelers; they can provide information on children’s rights and the prevention of sexual exploitation of children. Hotels can also teach travelers on how to report suspected cases. A community can also develop an engagement strategy and make it a goal to get every hotel in your city to sign on to some form of hotel initiatives to work on this mission to end human trafficking. The first step of interacting with hotels is to connect hotels with law enforcement to develop a working protocol, and then create training that is mutually respectful and engaging so you can teach how to identify signs of sexual exploitation.  First study the ECPAT Code and then find out what is happening in your own community. Please take a moment to rate the Podcast on ITunes! Resources: ECPAT CODE  The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct is the only voluntary set of business principles travel and tour companies can implement to prevent child sex tourism and trafficking of children. The Code is a joint venture between the tourism private sector and ECPAT. OCHTTF/ROYCE/CSUF Seminar Nov 2015   Oree and  Deputy District Attorney Bradley Schoenleben PROMISE - TSA Frank Massolini Chicago: Hotel And Law Enforcement Training initiative PROMISE has launched ( HALT), the Hotel And Law Enforcement Training initiative, (through the Elgin Illinois Convention Bureau) This initiative provides hotel operators with training on how to identify human trafficking, establish local protocols for reporting the incidents to local police, assists in making law enforcement aware of the commercial implications in making arrests in hotels and creates a network between local hotels to exchange information on traffickers moving victims from hotel to hotel. Salvation Army's Anne's House Dr. Sandra Morgan's new blog Global Center for Women and Justice Like us on Facebook! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to subscribe or rate the podcast on iTunes by clicking here. Click here for FAQs about podcasts and how to subscribe. Haven't been receiving our newsletter? Visit our homepage to join today. Contact us with questions, comments, or suggestions by contacting us through our homepage.

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