BOSTON, Massachusetts—Massachusetts lawmakers, hospitality trade leaders, and survivor advocates gathered on the Massachusetts State Capitol to spotlight the necessity to implement human trafficking recognition coaching throughout the resort trade. For the reason that AHLA Foundation launched the No Room for Trafficking initiative in 2019, over 2.2 million trainings have been accomplished to acknowledge and reply to trafficking conditions. These efforts be certain that each resort employee—from the entrance desk to housekeeping and meals service—is provided to establish and report suspicious exercise.
The occasion underscored assist for S.1729/HD.1764, which might mandate human trafficking coaching for all resort staff in Massachusetts, guaranteeing that each employee is provided to acknowledge and reply to trafficking conditions. The occasion included remarks from Senator Mark C. Montigny (Second Bristol and Plymouth); Consultant Thomas P. Walsh (twelfth Essex); Kevin Carey, president and CEO of the American Resort & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA) Basis; Chris Pappas, president and CEO of Massachusetts Lodging Affiliation (MLA); and Delia Vega, senior survivor mentor and coverage specialist of My Life My Selection.
Carey stated, “The resort and hospitality trade thanks Senator Montigny and Rep. Walsh for his or her management on this challenge. We stand with them as our companions on this struggle in opposition to human trafficking. Prevention coaching is already a typical follow at many lodges in Massachusetts, and we stay dedicated to partnering with legislation enforcement and survivor advocacy organizations to strengthen these efforts.”
“Human trafficking stays a vicious crime and modern-day model of slavery that exists in virtually each group throughout the Commonwealth and the US,” stated Montigny. “This isn’t merely some terrible drawback occurring in some far-off land. Many victims are weak ladies or youngsters from our personal communities, and lodges and motels are sometimes exploited by traffickers to perpetuate this heinous crime. We should break via the inertia on Beacon Hill and mandate coaching for hospitality employees who can play a lifesaving function in combatting trafficking.”
Walsh stated, “Human trafficking is a critical challenge in Massachusetts, and lodges play an important function in stopping it. I’ve seen firsthand how traffickers exploit the I-95 hall, utilizing lodges to move and hurt victims. This laws will guarantee front-line hospitality employees are skilled to acknowledge and report trafficking, serving to to guard probably the most weak. I admire the collaboration of the lodging trade, legislation enforcement, and survivor advocates on this struggle.”
Pappas stated, “The resort trade has lengthy led the struggle in human trafficking prevention. This invoice will be certain that each frontline resort worker shall be skilled to identify the indicators and appropriately reply to suspected acts of human trafficking. The Massachusetts Lodging Affiliation is proud to assist this invoice.”
Vega added, “Recognizing the warning indicators and realizing learn how to reply appropriately can save lives. It may well imply the distinction between enduring a lifetime of ache and discovering security and justice.”