When Maria* came to Washington state to work as in a home, she found herself working in conditions that are akin to modern day slavery. Her travel documents were taken from her and she was forced to work long hours with little or no pay. She didn’t speak English, she didn’t know how to get help, and she felt compelled to continue in her hardship. In a moment of desperation, Maria made it to a local store where she was planning to buy a phone card to call her mother in the Philippines. The cashier at the store happened to be from the Philippines and when Maria described her situation, the cashier not only realized that Maria might be a victim of trafficking but the cashier also knew who to call for help.

Thankfully, authorities helped Maria to escape her nightmare.

Businesses like that grocery store that Maria visited can plan a vital role in helping victims to escape modern day slavery. Thanks to a grant by Hope Givers United, BEST has developed business-friendly outreach posters for posting in public spaces or back of the house, to raise awareness about the crime of trafficking and let victims like Maria know how they can get help. Over 50 businesses have already put up these posters.

BEST has also developed “Employee Indicator Cards,” for employees to learn the signs of trafficking. These small cards can be kept behind the cash register or posted on an employee notice board or refrigerator–to serve as a reminder of the help that is available!

In addition, BEST has developed an entire “Outreach Toolkit” for community groups that want to reach out to businesses to raise awareness about trafficking. If your group wants to plan an outreach, please contact us at info@bestalliance.org. We’d love to help!

* Name has been changed. Based on a true story.

“Not in my hotel! Not in my hotel!!” Over 100 lodging managers and owners from throughout the state chanted their commitment to help drive sex trafficking out of our community at the annual luncheon of the Washington Lodging Association on March 28.

Over 200 members, allied members, and guests of the Washington Lodging Association attended the event and learned about the crime of sex trafficking and its impact on the lodging industry in a panel presentation about the BEST Inhospitable to Trafficking Project.

Speakers included:
Cindy Fanning, Moderator, Chair of the Board of the Washington Lodging Association
Dr. Mar Smith, Executive Director of BEST
Michael Pitstick, General Manager of Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport
Sgt. Jaycin Diaz, Seattle Police Vice Section, High Risk Victims Unit
Sandip Soli, Attorney, Cairncross & Hemplemann (not pictured)

Here are some facts the panelists covered:

• 300-500 kids are being prostituted on any given night in King County
• The average age of entry into prostitution is between the ages of 13-15 years old. A majority of prostituted adults were first introduced to ‘the life’ as victims of child sex trafficking.
• 89% of prostituted people want to leave prostitution but lack the means and support to do so.
• 62% of police reports on trafficking-related crimes that were prosecuted in King County mention hotels and motels as locations where the crimes took place. These hotels and motels range from economy to luxury, in the heart of downtown and in quiet suburbs. The crime is happening in all types of lodging and throughout the county.
• This crime isn’t just bad for vulnerable women and youth, it’s bad for business. It poses numerous risks to hotels, including safety risks for guests and staff, reputational risks, and serious legal risks. Trafficking is bad for business.

Interested in getting involved by attending the training (for hotel managers and law enforcement only), sponsoring the training, or helping as a volunteer? Contact Mar@bestalliance.org

Event: Homeland Security Investigations:  Arresting Traffickers & Empowering Victims
Start: April 10, 2013 7:00 pm
End: April 10, 2013 9:00 pm
Cost: Free
Venue: University Heights Center Room #109
Phone: 2535083754
Address: 5031 University Way, Seattle, WA, 98105, United States

What role does Homeland Security Investigations play in ending human trafficking in Seattle? How do they work with victims who are foreign nationals?

Hear from Special Agent Todd Rignel and Victim Assistant Coordinator Sebum Pura as they answer your questions on how HSI is bringing traffickers to justice and victims to safety.

More Info: http://www.seattleagainstslavery.org/event/homeland-security-investigations-arresting-traffickers-empowering-victims/