Cadence Support for ECPAT USA on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
This month we’re championing something very near and dear to our hearts. The month of January has been deemed National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month by Presidential Proclamation. In addition, January 11th has become the nationally recognized day for human trafficking awareness and prevention. In 2018, Cadence continued our fight against human trafficking in partnership with ECPAT USA, the leading policy organization in the United States seeking to end the commercial, sexual exploitation of children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation. Leveraging our place in the travel industry, we are doing what we can to bring awareness and education to our clients and travel partners.
Do you know how to spot a victim of human trafficking?
As part of our commitment to ECPAT International, and to a safer travel industry, we want to help you learn.
There are many signs to look out for when you may suspect there is an issue, and below are just a few of those for you to consider. This is a great first step in identifying victims and, potentially, saving a life.
Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations, or houses of worship?
Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
Is the person fearful, timid, or submissive?
Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep, or medical care?
Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to? Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
Does the person claim to be just visiting or have an inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address?
Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking. But it's important to arm yourself with knowledge so that we can all fight this battle together.
Below are a few additional helpful resources for you to share, or ways for you to contribute to the cause. We encourage you to join the fight to end human trafficking and exploitation!
Human Trafficking Hotline
If you know of or suspect someone may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the human trafficking hotline:
www.humantraffickinghotline.org • Call 1-888-373-7888 ( TTY: 711) • Text 233733
Additional Resources to aid the cause:
ECPAT www.ecpatusa.org
With representation in 107 countries, ECPAT is a worldwide network of organizations with one common goal – to end the sexual exploitation of children through advocacy and research.
The Code www.thecode.org
The Code (short for “The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism”) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with the mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the tourism industry to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.
TraffickCam www.traffickcam.com
TraffickCam enables you to help combat sex trafficking by uploading photos of the hotel rooms you stay in when you travel. Traffickers regularly post photographs of their victims posed in hotel rooms for online advertisements. These photographs are evidence that can be used to find and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes. In order to use these photos, however, investigators must be able to determine where the photos were taken. The purpose of TraffickCam is to create a database of hotel room images that an investigator can efficiently search, in order to find other images that were taken in the same location as an image that is part of an investigation.
Generate Hope www.generatehope.org
GenerateHope is a safe place for survivors of sex trafficking to heal and find restoration in long-term housing and trauma-informed therapy, education, and vocational support. Since recovery from sexual exploitation is a long-term process, GenerateHope provides safety, community, and individualized life skills support to work through the deep trauma and discover a healthy, purpose-filled life.
Purpose Jewelry www.purposejewelry.org
PURPOSE Jewelry is beautifully crafted by young women rescued from human trafficking. By Purchasing with PURPOSE® you are providing freedom, dignity and hope for these amazing artisans.
Red X 2/7/19 www.enditmovement.org
Born out of the belief that even one person trapped in slavery is too many, #ENDITMOVEMENT is a coalition of the leading organizations in the world in the fight for freedom.
On behalf of Cadence and everyone involved in making a difference to stop human trafficking and child sexual exploitation, thank you! Let's get the word out...share and interact with today's posts on Instagram(@cadencetravel) and Facebook.
