Human trafficking made its way into the world’s psyche with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in May 2007. The three-year-old toddler went missing from the seaside resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal.
Her kidnapping sparked a massive manhunt. Although the case remains unsolved, many believe she was the victim of human trafficking.
According to the U.S. State Department, an estimated 27 million people are exploited for labor and commercial sex around the globe. And those are just the reported cases.
There are many moving parts in the shadowy world of human trafficking. From lax border control to hotel managers turning a blind eye, all are complicit characters.
In light of the lawsuit against hotels for human trafficking, survivors are fighting for their voices to be heard and for those responsible for their heinous crimes to face the music.
Below, we’ll discuss how the hospitality industry has been instrumental in bringing about real change in curbing human trafficking. But is it enough?
The Role of Hotel Chains in Human Trafficking
Red Roof Inn is one of the defendants named in the sex trafficking lawsuit. The hotel chain is accused of being a “safe space” for traffickers and buyers, reported 11Alive.
Two of the hotel chain’s Atlanta properties are listed in the 122-page civil lawsuit. The most damning of the accusations stated that hotel staff knew what was happening and were involved in the illegal activity to some degree.
Four of the plaintiffs claimed that staff were encouraged by traffickers to notify them if the police were in the vicinity. They allegedly accepted money and drugs in exchange.
Days before the trial was set for court, Red Roof Inn settled with the plaintiffs.
Several major hotel chains are under investigation for their alleged involvement in human trafficking activities on their premises, according to TorHoerman Law. The law firm says high-profile hotels like Marriot were also named in the human trafficking lawsuits.
Despite a slew of evidence against them, the hotel chains accused of involvement deny any wrongdoing.
According to Reuters, Red Roof Inn still maintains that no sex trafficking occurred in any of its hotels. Best Western and Wyndham argued they can’t be liable for allegations about specific franchises.
Taking Accountability
Operation Underground Railroad is a nonprofit U.S.-based organization. Founded in 2013 by Tim Ballard, the NPO has been at the forefront against sex trafficking for many years.
On the issue of why hotels and motels are easy targets for human traffickers, the organization says it’s the convenience they provide.
Victims are advertised for commercial sex and hotels are used as locations because of their discretion. Automated check-in and check-out options and third-party reservation systems only make it easier, adds Operation Underground Railroad.
Pushing for Change
Citing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, writer Juergen T Steinmetz says hotels are legally responsible for ensuring guest safety.
Following backlash and human trafficking lawsuits, hotels are taking precautions. Hotel staff undergo training while procedures have been put in place to report suspected trafficking.
Then there’s also the No Room For Trafficking campaign. Run by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the initiative established a grant to help support human trafficking survivors. The five-step action plan has proven fruitful when training hotel staff on the warning signs to be wary of if they suspect trafficking activity.
The Hilton Global Foundation’s Travel With Purpose set an ambitious task of achieving its goals by 2030. The hotel group said in a statement that it was committed to implementing human rights due diligence across its global portfolio of properties. It added that it was working hard to eradicate forced labor and human trafficking.
As it stands, hotel chains around the globe are slow to implement strategies to combat human and sex trafficking. The lawsuit has taken on a life of its own with Las Vegas casinos Mandalay Bay, The Venetian, and MGM Grand named as the latest defendants.
The casinos violated several laws by ignoring clear signs of trafficking.
For the human trafficking victims, it gives them some inkling of hope that justice will prevail. While the lawsuits are ongoing, more and more claims are coming to light. The families of missing persons could soon get answers as to what happened to their sisters, brothers, daughters and sons.
The bigger picture is that the puppet masters are still at large. But a few small wins can culminate in one big breakthrough. In the meantime, it’s comforting to know those who are complicit in these crimes will have their day in court.
