BECU Demonstrates Care by Countering Human Trafficking

BECU, a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union committed to improving the financial well-being of its members and their communities, is also committed to countering human trafficking. BEST is proud to continue being a recipient of BECU’s philanthropic initiatives, which help fund the Safe Jobs Collaborative, raise awareness about resources for human trafficking victims, and provide relevant training for BECU staff.  

The Safe Jobs Collaborative connects victims and survivors of human trafficking with trauma-informed employers to provide safe, stable employment. Clients work closely with case managers from direct service providers who connect them with the resources needed to become job-ready and apply to potential job opportunities. Since poverty creates vulnerability to exploitation, and financial barriers are often a major factor that prevents victims of human trafficking to be able to leave their exploitative situation, safe, stable employment is essential to protect people from falling into the cycle of (re)exploitation. By financially supporting the Safe Jobs Collaborative, BECU is empowering human trafficking survivors and those at risk of trafficking with the opportunity to get connected to safe employment options.  

BECU also participates in BEST’s Not Alone Campaign by posting signs that speak directly to victims of human trafficking to let them know they are not alone and how to find help. These signs are multilingual, and BECU has them in over 12 locations across the Puget Sound region and around Spokane, WA. BECU continues to think of ways to incorporate these victim-addressed messages in additional locations to help ensure anyone who may be experiencing trafficking can access help.

Traffickers routinely force their victims to attempt financial fraud in order to increase their own profits, so staff in every financial institution have a role to play in countering forced criminality and helping identify victims.  BECU has begun offering BEST Basics to its staff, including those who work in member services, security, and fraud detection. BEST Basics is an accessible and impactful human trafficking prevention training designed to help employees in any business learn to identify the signs of human trafficking, and the appropriate steps to take when they suspect trafficking is occurring. By equipping staff to counter human trafficking proactively, BECU is having a positive impact not only on the safety of their staff, but also in the communities in which it operates.

"At BECU, caring for our members and communities is at the heart of what we do,” said Cassandra Locey, Director BSA/AML/CFT Management, BECU. “BEST Basics helps our employees understand the realities of human trafficking, recognize potential warning signs, and know how to respond appropriately when something doesn't seem right. By investing in this training, we're not only supporting our employees and members, we're helping build safer, stronger communities and demonstrating that financial institutions can be a powerful force in identifying and disrupting human trafficking."

BEST applauds the great work BECU continues to do by prioritizing human trafficking prevention within its philanthropic initiatives. From supporting employment for survivors and those are risk, to raising awareness on how victims can access help, and equipping their employees to recognize and respond effectively to indicators of human trafficking, BECU demonstrates substantive care for its staff, its members, and the communities it serves.