Preventing Human Trafficking in January and Beyond

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and THLA is committed to doing all we can to safeguard our communities from being exploited by human traffickers. We value our partnership with Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking (BEST), because it helps us equip our industry to counter human trafficking proactively. We aim to prevent human trafficking before it happens, and interrupt it quickly and effectively when it occurs– and we hope you will too.

Next summer will bring exciting World Cup soccer-related events, with an influx of fans expected across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico! Unfortunately, wherever there is an increase in crowds, there is a higher risk of human trafficking. Criminals take advantage of crowded areas that can hide their schemes. When multitudes gather, traffickers are more confident in their ability to elude security. For any business with premises open to the public, and tourism-impacted businesses in particular, it is important to prepare now to counter human trafficking before the first match– and long after the soccer fans have returned home. Training front-facing staff is essential but not sufficient for prevention: Proactive policies, strategic communications, and tailored guidance for people managers are also critical to preventing human trafficking. BEST can equip any business with publicly-accessible premises to take the necessary steps.

 

How Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) Supports Employers

Since last June, BEST has been working with the Seattle FWC 2026 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to help craft and implement its Human Trafficking Prevention Initiative. The LOC is offering 2,500 employees of Seattle-area businesses access to BEST Basics, its online training course for public-facing staff across industries. While the Seattle LOC’s initiative was launched to prepare for higher risks of human trafficking during the upcoming soccer-related events, exploitation doesn’t just happen during major events. It is a crisis that persists every day.

Even if your business is not likely to be directly impacted by the upcoming World Cup, BEST can still equip you to prevent human trafficking. BEST training is relevant for anyone who interacts with the public at work. Available in Spanish and English, it can be taken individually online, or in a group setting, and employees receive a certificate of completion after taking the course. 

 

 

 

Train Your Team Today with BEST and THLA

BEST’s Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Training (ITT) is the most comprehensive human trafficking prevention training available for hospitality employees. BEST’s training explains the truth of trafficking, the risks of trafficking to hotels, and concrete steps on how staff can personally make a difference in the lives of children and adults who are exploited every day.

All properties with 10 or more rooms are required by state law to have all employees trained on recognizing the signs of human trafficking annually and within 90 days of employment. All THLA members have complimentary access to this training. For access you will need your THLA member ID and password. Access training here. If you need help with your login, please contact THLA at 512.474.2996. A certificate is provided upon completion of the 30-minute training.

Consultations and strategy workshops are great ways that BEST can help you plan for an influx of people, which can create greater risk of criminals using the premises of legitimate businesses for their illegal activities. To learn more about a BEST presentation for your group, reach out to Carolyn McCall-Squires of THLA.

THLA reaffirms our commitment to doing all we can to prevent human trafficking in our communities– not only during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month but for as long as necessary. We look forward to a day when people are no longer exploited.