Free Training on Combating Human Trafficking Scheduled for December 11

Through a partnership with the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute and its SAFE (Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitation) Action Project, an innovative training program engaging the hospitality industry, the OH&LA is pleased to offer training in efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. This seminar will be offered for FREE on December 11 in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Registration includes beverages and free parking; space is limited.  
 
December 11, 2015
Maximum Attendees for each event: 50
The seminar is sponsored by Riverwind Hotel, but will
be held at the following Oklahoma hotels:
9:00 - 11:00am   2:30 - 4:30pm
Hyatt Place Tulsa
South/Medical District
7037 S. Zurich Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74136
  
Courtyard by Marriott OKC
Downtown/Bricktown
2 W. Reno Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Instructor Savannah Sanders of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute will give a presentation and utilize the SAFE Action Project's training videos, which provide warning signs and information to train hotel staff in identifying possible sex trafficking situations. Participants will learn the signs of trafficking specific to the hotel industry and what to do when warning signs have been identified. Managers or property liaisons will receive training and information on how to utilize the "do it yourself" aspect of our training, so that their properties can be easily trained with a schedule that works for the individual property.

In addition, voluntary ”Be SAFE" Certification will be available. This initiative encourages lodging properties and hospitality organizations to conduct SAFE training for all levels of staff and employees. “Be SAFE” participation is a no-cost process, and a relatively easy one, requiring three steps to complete.
  1. Designate ONE (1) SAFE liaison for your property or business. This individual will be the designated SAFE liaison, responsible for coordinating your training and education efforts with SAFE staff.
  2. Train at least 75% of your property’s staff members, based on a mid-line estimate of total number of employees. We realize that this may fluctuate depending on the time of year.
  3. Commit to implement SAFE training information into your new-hire process, or through an annual training update for your staff. This is a requirement to keep your “Be SAFE” recognition each year.

Once a property has completed these three steps, the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute will recognize your property’s achievement in the following ways:
As we have stated in the past, our hotel/hospitality professionals are our “Eyes and Ears” and will see signs of Human Trafficking long before the law enforcement community ever will. With that said, it’s our duty to train hotel associates who are potential “Reporting Parties” and give them the confidence to Say Something when they See Something!


Savannah Sanders
Training Coordinator, O'Connor Institute SAFE Action Project
Savannah is a leading advocate in the effort to stop child sex trafficking in the U.S. She has been involved in anti-trafficking training in Arizona and nationwide since 2010, and is particularly passionate about trauma-informed care and survivor leadership.

Savannah plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Arizona State University (ASU). She earned her undergraduate degree from ASU with a Major in Social Work and Minor in Women and Gender Studies in 2014.

As a survivor of devastating hardships in her youth, Savannah is now living a full life as a victim’s advocate, wife, and mother of four beautiful, bright children. She loves lemonade, snuggling her babies, and cracking corny jokes.

About the SAFE Action Project
The SAFE Action Project is a training program designed in collaboration with the hospitality industry to combat human trafficking, beginning with child sex trafficking. Researchers estimate as many as 300,000 American youth may be at risk of being exploited for commercial sex in the U.S. annually. The O'Connor House SAFE Action Project is working to train hospitality staff to ensure their properties and businesses aren't unknowingly being used to facilitate this heinous crime.

About Sandra Day O'Connor Institute
The O’Connor Institute continues the lifetime work of Sandra Day O’Connor in solving important social, economic and political problems through civil and constructive dialogue combined with civic action. The O’Connor Institute works to build consensus, form collaborations and help craft solutions to vital public issues, in an environment of mutual respect and shared purpose for a better state and nation. The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization.