BEYOND AWARENESS: Collaborative Strategies to Combat Human Trafficking in Hospitality

As co-founder of Safe House Project and someone deeply immersed in the fight against human trafficking, I recently had the privilege of participating in a powerful webinar hosted by David Goldstone from WorldVue , alongside Abbe Horswill from Marriott International and Eliza McCoy, MPA (she/ella) from the AHLA Foundation . What struck me most was how far we've come – and yet how far we still have to go.

The Reality We Face

Let me share a sobering statistic that drives our work: only 1% of trafficking victims are currently identified. This number weighs heavily on me, especially knowing that we served over 1,500 survivors last year at Safe House Project – triple our previous year's number. Each survivor represents both a tragedy and a triumph, reminding us why this work is so crucial.

The Power of Partnership

What gives me hope is seeing how the hospitality industry has stepped up. Marriott's commitment to training over 1.4 million associates isn't just a number – it represents millions of eyes and ears trained to spot trafficking indicators. When I hear success stories, like the Encore technician who identified a trafficking victim on a flight thanks to this training, I'm reminded that every person we train could be the one who saves a life.

Technology as a Game-Changer

At Safe House Project, we're excited about launching our mobile AI platform that will provide real-time response capabilities for reporting suspected trafficking. This technology will help bridge the gap between identification and action, ensuring that when someone spots something suspicious, they know exactly what to do and how to do it safely.

The Changing Face of Trafficking

One trend that particularly concerns me is the 3% rise we've seen in male trafficking victims. This highlights why we need to broaden our perspective on what trafficking looks like. We also know that 40-50% of minor victims are first sold by a family member – a heartbreaking reality that complicates identification and intervention.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Our goals at Safe House Project are ambitious but necessary. We're aiming to serve over 3,000 survivors in the coming year, while also rolling out our platform nationally. But numbers alone don't tell the whole story. Each survivor represents a life transformed, a future restored.

The Role of Corporate Leadership

I've been particularly impressed by companies like 万豪酒店 , Extended Stay America , G6 Hospitality LLC , 凯悦 , 希尔顿全球酒店集团 , and all our partners as part of No Room for Trafficking taking the lead in this fight. Their willingness to share resources and training materials industry-wide shows this isn't about competition – it's about collaboration for a greater cause. The AHLA Foundation's commitment to matching funds and creating industry-wide standards has been equally crucial.

A Call to Action

For those reading this who work in hospitality, here's what you can do:

- Get trained in trafficking identification -Free training available at https://iamonwatch.org/

- Ensure your property has clear reporting protocols

- Support organizations working with survivors

- Share what you learn with colleagues and staff

A Personal Note

Before co-founding Safe House Project, I worked in corporate America. People often ask why I made the switch. The answer is simple: because every life matters. When I hear about a survivor finding safety, securing employment, or rebuilding their life, I know this is exactly where I need to be.

The Future

While I'm proud of the progress we've made, I remain focused on what's ahead. With continued collaboration between organizations like Safe House Project, major hotel brands, hospitality vendors, and industry associations, we can move that 1% identification rate higher. Every identification represents real lives saved, real futures restored.

This isn't just about awareness anymore – it's about action. And together, we're taking those actions every day to create a world where human trafficking has no place to hide.

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Want to learn more about Safe House Project or get involved? Visit our website or reach out to learn about our training programs and support services. Together, we can make a difference.