Group items matching

in title, tags, annotations or url

THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED "Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act" aims to expand the Department of Homeland Security's "Blue Campaign" by establishing an annual certificate program for employers to train employees in human trafficking awareness. The American Hotel and Lodging Association announced its support for this legislation that would increase awareness through education. "The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would complement our industry's anti-trafficking efforts by providing important third-party validation for hotels' training and prevention initiatives," said Kevin Carey, AHLA's interim president & CEO. The legislation, sponsored by Congressmen David Valadao and Troy Carter, allows DHS to certify businesses that have trained their employees to combat human trafficking and display these annual certifications to the public, AHLA said in a statement. These optional certifications would be issued by the Blue Campaign at the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, which aims to raise public awareness.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association philanthropy branch AHLA Foundation has launched a trafficking prevention training program for the hotel industry in collaboration with ECPAT-USA and Marriott International to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons observed on July 29, a statement said. The program titled "Recognize and Respond: Addressing Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry" was developed by Marriott by partnering with non-profit organizations and survivor experts. It includes learning paths for associates and managers around increased guidance on responding to potential trafficking situations and interacting with potential victims. It is available to the hotel industry through ECPAT-USA's online learning platform for free, the statement said. The new initiative advances the American Hotel & Lodging Association and AHLA Foundation's "No Room for Trafficking" awareness program which raises awareness about human trafficking. "One of No Room for Trafficking's goals is to train every single hotel employee to identify and respond to a potential human trafficking situation. Through this innovative new training, the industry as a whole will be better equipped to help identify and stop cases of human trafficking," said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "We are extremely grateful to Marriott International and leading trafficking prevention partners who are offering this free training with support from the AHLA Foundation."

STAFF MEMBERS OF two hotel industry associations donned blue in January to recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention month. AAHOA and the American Hotel & Lodging Association also sought to encourage hotel owners to take advantage of their educational programs on detecting and preventing trafficking in their properties. Like his predecessors since 2010, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation officially designating January as the month to focus awareness on trafficking prevention, according to the U.S. Department of State. The month recognizes the work done by foreign governments, international organizations, anti-trafficking entities, law enforcement officials, survivor advocates, communities of faith, businesses and private citizens to raise awareness about human trafficking, the State Department said. "Since human trafficking disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities, women and girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, vulnerable migrants, and other historically marginalized and underserved communities, our mission to combat human trafficking must always be connected to our broader efforts to advance equity and justice across our society," Biden said in his proclamation.