Combatting Human Trafficking in Oklahoma
In April, the OH&LA hosted a luncheon titled "Human Trafficking and its Connection to Oklahoma.” Presented by Dr. Lori Basey, President of No Boundaries International and Michael Snowden, Agent-in-Charge of the Human Trafficking Division for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, members learned what role Oklahoma plays in trafficking, how lodging operators and their staff can help identify trafficking situations, and what to do if you suspect trafficking.
The OH&LA plans to offer two special training sessions on this topic in Oklahoma City and Tulsa this fall. Watch your email and oklahomahotels.org for dates.
As well, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is working with its members, as well as with Congress and other interested parties, to help the hotel and lodging industry better combat the abhorrent practice of human trafficking and, more specifically, child sex trafficking.
As an industry, we recognize that hotels can play an important role in fighting trafficking networks which often rely on legitimate businesses, like hotels, to sustain their illegal operations and infrastructure.
AH&LA has also developed “Hotel Industry Principles” (see below) following numerous discussions with various members in our industry including major hotel brands, state lodging associations, and corporate responsibility executives to determine how best we can work with our hotel employees to address these terrible crimes.
As part of this effort, AH&LA and OH&LA encourage hotel companies and properties across the country to review their current procedures and policies on sex trafficking.
Specifically, AH&LA and OH&LA encourage every hotel company and property to:
- educate employees to recognize and report instances of trafficking when perpetrated or attempted in or around hotel properties;
- establish policies and procedures for reporting of instances or suspected instances of trafficking;
- encourage other companies and parties in the hotel industry to join the fight against trafficking, and collaborate with those companies that have already done so;
- encourage business partners in the broader travel industry and beyond to educate their employees and take other necessary steps to combat trafficking; and
- work collaboratively with law enforcement and policymakers so that industry and government initiatives can be appropriately and efficiently integrated into a society-wide effort to combat trafficking.
AH&LA will continue to be a resource in the fight against human trafficking, and will work to provide regular updates on the hotel industry’s actions and successes. The Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association is among a number of other Partner State Lodging Associations that are offering members educational opportunities on the issue of Human Trafficking.
