Claire Dawson
The sex industry and hospitality are often linked due to the prevalence of sex trafficking in hotels and other areas of tourism. Hotels are frequently used by sex traffickers to exploit victims, as they provide anonymity and privacy. The hospitality industry has been criticised for its lack of accountability and failure to adequately train staff to recognise and report signs of trafficking. Civil lawsuits against hotels have provided some justice for survivors, and policies such as the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) allow hotels to be held liable for allowing sex trafficking on their premises. The industry is taking steps to address this issue, with initiatives like 'The Code' providing criteria for companies to follow to gain membership and combat trafficking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sex industry involvement in hospitality | Sex trafficking |
| Location | Hotels, motels, casinos, cruise ships, theme parks, sporting events |
| Victims | Minor girls, individuals with signs of malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, injuries, unusual behaviour, lack of freedom of movement, constant monitoring, no control over money or ID, inappropriate dress |
| Tactics | Selection of larger hotels with busy staff, use of third-party booking sites, reserving rooms in the victim's name |
| Hospitality industry response | Training and awareness programs for staff, posting human trafficking hotline numbers, adopting anti-trafficking policies and procedures, implementing internal accountability measures, ensuring protection for vulnerable employees |
| Legal consequences | Civil and criminal liability for hotels and other hospitality businesses, civil lawsuits and suits against hotels and other entities, federal legislation allowing entities facilitating human trafficking to be sued |
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What You'll Learn
- Hotels and motels are prime locations for sex trafficking
- Human trafficking in the hospitality industry: labour trafficking
- Civil lawsuits against hotels as avenues for justice
- Hospitality industry policies and procedures against trafficking
- Hospitality staff training to identify and report sex trafficking
Hotels and motels are prime locations for sex trafficking
Hotels and motels provide traffickers with a sense of anonymity and privacy. Traffickers can easily book rooms in larger hotels with busy staff, use third-party booking sites, or reserve rooms in the victim's name to disguise their illicit activities. The transient nature of hotels and motels, with people constantly coming and going, also makes it easier for traffickers to blend in and avoid detection.
Additionally, hotels and motels offer convenience and accessibility for buyers of commercial sex. They provide a location where buyers can meet victims without raising suspicion, as it is common for people to enter and exit hotel rooms without attracting attention. The ability to pay in cash and maintain financial secrecy is another factor that makes these locations attractive to traffickers.
While hotels and motels are commonly associated with sex trafficking, it is important to recognize that labor trafficking also occurs within these establishments. Labor trafficking can take place through hospitality exploitation, with victims forced to work in housekeeping, food service, or other professions that hotels subcontract. In some cases, labor trafficking may also exist within the hotel's supply chain, such as in the manufacturing of linens, coffee, and soaps.
To address the issue of sex trafficking in hotels and motels, it is crucial for the hospitality industry to take proactive measures. This includes educating and training staff to recognize and report signs of trafficking, establishing clear policies and reporting guidelines, and collaborating with reputable suppliers and vendors. By taking these steps, hotels and motels can play a crucial role in disrupting and preventing sex trafficking.
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Human trafficking in the hospitality industry: labour trafficking
Human trafficking is a serious issue in the hospitality industry, encompassing both sex trafficking and labour trafficking. Hotels, motels, casinos, amusement parks, cruises, and other tourism-related businesses are common venues for trafficking activities, providing traffickers with anonymity and privacy.
Labour trafficking in the hospitality industry involves exploiting individuals for forced labour, often through deception. A notable case in Ontario, Canada, involved 43 foreign nationals who were forced to work for a cleaning service at hotels, demonstrating how third-party subcontractors can be involved in trafficking. Victims of labour trafficking are often brought to a country under various work visas to fill labour shortages for housekeeping, front-of-house staff, maintenance, and food and beverage personnel.
The hospitality industry must be vigilant in addressing labour trafficking by conducting due diligence when utilising subcontractors and recruiters. They should ensure that their supply chains for goods and products, such as coffee, linens, and equipment, are free from forced labour. Bill S-211, an Act to enact the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, will come into force in Canada on January 1, 2024, requiring businesses to meet reporting and compliance obligations to address forced labour in their supply chains.
To combat labour trafficking, the hospitality industry should implement yearly education and awareness training for all staff to recognise the signs of trafficking and provide contextual information. Posting human trafficking hotline numbers in visible areas and establishing clear policies and reporting guidelines will also empower employees to take action if they suspect trafficking activity within their workforce or on their premises.
By taking proactive measures, the hospitality industry can play a crucial role in deterring labour trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
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Civil lawsuits against hotels as avenues for justice
Hotels and motels are attractive locations for human trafficking, with 75% of US-based human trafficking survivors reporting contact with a hotel or motel during their trafficking experience. The hospitality industry, which includes hotels and motels, is a known sector for sex and labour trafficking activity. Hotels can be complicit in trafficking operations by turning a blind eye to illegal activities, such as sexual exploitation, occurring on their premises.
Civil lawsuits against hotels are an important avenue for justice, financial support, and closure for survivors of human trafficking. These lawsuits can also pressure the hospitality industry to adopt more rigorous anti-trafficking measures. Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), survivors can file civil claims against hotels and other entities that knowingly benefited from their exploitation. This has sparked a wave of significant civil lawsuits against major hotel chains, including Hilton, Marriott, and Wyndham.
To qualify for filing a lawsuit against a hotel for human trafficking, survivors must demonstrate that the hotel had a duty of care that was breached. This can be through direct involvement of hotel employees in aiding human traffickers or negligence in preventing, reporting, or recognizing the warning signs of trafficking activities. For example, red flags such as constant requests for towels, refusal of housekeeping, minors checking in with unrelated adults, cash payments, frequent foot traffic, and surveillance cameras being turned off can be used as evidence in court.
In the United States, there have been several high-profile civil suits brought by survivors of trafficking who claim that hotels knowingly turned a blind eye to their exploitation and profited from it. These lawsuits have resulted in substantial financial settlements for the survivors. While there haven't been similar class actions in Canada, it is not outside the realm of possibilities.
Law firms specializing in these cases offer free, confidential consultations and support to survivors, ensuring their privacy and safety while they pursue justice. Most cases are filed under pseudonyms, such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe," to protect the identities and well-being of the survivors.
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Hospitality industry policies and procedures against trafficking
Human trafficking is a significant issue in the United States, with an estimated 200,000 incidents occurring annually. The hospitality industry, which includes hotels, motels, casinos, amusement parks, cruises, and other tourism-related businesses, is a known sector for both sex and labour trafficking activity. Hotels and motels can be particularly attractive locations for trafficking due to the privacy and anonymity they offer.
To combat this issue, the hospitality industry must implement policies and procedures to address human trafficking. Here are some key measures that can be taken:
Education and Training:
Hotels and other hospitality businesses should provide comprehensive education and awareness training for all staff. This training should go beyond teaching staff how to recognize signs of trafficking, such as suspicious guest requests and room conditions, but also provide contextual information and considerations. Yearly training can help staff stay vigilant and informed about the issue.
Whistleblowing and Incident Management:
Combining whistleblowing platforms with incident management solutions is critical to effectively address suspicious activities. Hospitality businesses should implement clear policies and reporting guidelines for employees to follow if they suspect trafficking activity on the property, within the workforce, or in the supply chain. This includes displaying the relevant human trafficking hotline number in high-traffic areas for both employees and guests to easily access.
Due Diligence in Supply Chains:
The hospitality industry must be vigilant when utilizing subcontractors and recruiters to ensure they are not unknowingly contributing to human exploitation. This includes being aware of potential human trafficking in the supply chain of goods and products they purchase, such as linens, coffee, and other equipment. With the upcoming implementation of Bill S-211 in Canada, certain businesses will be required to meet reporting and compliance obligations to address forced labour in their supply chains.
Anti-Trafficking Campaigns:
Hospitality businesses can join industry-wide campaigns, such as the American Hotel and Lodging Association's (AHLA) "No Room for Trafficking" campaign. This includes displaying anti-trafficking signage, training staff, and creating company-wide reporting policies to take a stand against human trafficking.
By implementing these measures, the hospitality industry can play a crucial role in deterring human trafficking on their properties and within their labour supply chains, protecting both their staff and guests from becoming unwitting participants in these crimes.
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Hospitality staff training to identify and report sex trafficking
Hotels, motels, casinos, and other hospitality businesses are attractive locations for sex trafficking. Traffickers take advantage of the privacy and anonymity offered by the hospitality industry. As such, hospitality staff must be trained to identify and report sex trafficking.
Training for hospitality staff
Training for hospitality staff should cover the following:
- Key indicators of trafficking: For example, individuals showing signs of malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, or unusual behaviour. Other signs include a lack of freedom of movement, constant monitoring, and a lack of control over money or ID.
- Contextual information and considerations: For instance, understanding that human trafficking occurs not only in hotels and motels but also at sporting events, theme parks, cruise ships, and other areas in the tourism industry.
- How to recognise different types of trafficking: This includes understanding the difference between labour and sex trafficking.
- The role of hospitality employees in reporting and responding: Staff should know how to report suspected trafficking activity and who to contact, such as the National Human Trafficking Hotline or local law enforcement agencies.
- Scenario-based training: This type of training can be effective in teaching staff how to recognise and respond to human trafficking situations.
Other measures to address human trafficking in the hospitality industry
In addition to training, other measures can be implemented to address human trafficking in the hospitality industry, including:
- Posters: Displaying posters with information on human trafficking warning signs and hotlines can raise awareness among both staff and guests.
- Clear policies and reporting guidelines: Establishments should have clear policies and guidelines for employees to follow if they suspect trafficking activity.
- Due diligence in supply chains: The hospitality industry should ensure that they are not unknowingly contributing to human trafficking through their supply chains, such as through the purchase of goods and products.
By implementing comprehensive training and other measures, the hospitality industry can play a crucial role in identifying and reporting sex trafficking, protecting victims, and increasing employee safety.
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Frequently asked questions
Hotels and motels are one of the most commonly reported venues for sex trafficking, as they provide traffickers with a sense of anonymity and privacy.
Hotels financially benefit from sex trafficking when traffickers rent rooms. Hotels can also be held liable for sex trafficking if their staff knowingly permits it.
Some indicators include minor girls checking into a hotel with older men. Other signs include individuals showing malnourishment, poor hygiene, fatigue, sleep deprivation, untreated illness, injuries, and unusual behaviour.
The industry can implement yearly education and awareness training for all staff. Hotels can also post human trafficking hotline numbers in high-traffic areas.
Civil lawsuits against hotels provide an avenue for survivors to obtain justice and combat human trafficking. Federal legislation enacted in 2008 allowed entities facilitating human trafficking to be sued.
