From Running Solo to Joining a Team: Lessons From Selling My Business
Bottom Line: Even though there have been some challenges along the way, I am still ecstatic about my decision to sell Event Medical, LLC to Joffe...
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Elizabeth Rupert : May 8, 2024 2:09:28 PM
Since the introduction of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000, public discourse around human trafficking, including sex trafficking, has steadily increased. This is good news in the fight against sex trafficking because increasing awareness is an important aspect of the “3P” approach - prevention, protection for victims, and prosecution.
Importantly, event venues play a significant role when it comes to educating the public on the signs of trafficking. In fact, data shows that major events like the Super Bowl correlate with large spikes in media campaigns and discussions. The large crowds, demand for labor, and high population of tourists and temporary workers makes the connection between large events and an increased risk for sex trafficking a logical conclusion.
So what can event venues do to address this issue and support the efforts of law enforcement? Rahel Bayar, abuse and harassment prevention expert and CEO of The Bayar Group, offers this insight: “One of the most surprising yet effective tools is to name the issue, and engage all personnel from the hot dog vendor to the head of security on the signs and work to remind everyone that you do not need to be an expert in sex crimes to do good and create safe spaces.”
We recommend applying the five stages of emergency management to prevent and respond to sex trafficking.
1. Prevention - In addition to building your organization’s understanding of sex trafficking as a risk, contribute to community-wide prevention efforts.
2. Mitigation - Use enhanced security practices to reduce the likelihood of sex trafficking activities within the venue while working to identify potential victims.
3. Preparedness- Provide staff with the internal and external resources to take the appropriate action if sex trafficking activities are suspected.
4. Response- Create pathways for gathering information about potential sex trafficking incidents and implement a response plan.
5. Recovery - Utilize internal and external resources to support victims, bystanders, and impacted staff while preserving normal operations.
To event venue managers and safety professionals, this strategy will seem familiar as it is used to address a wide range of potential incidents and risks. For more information about how your organization can identify and respond to incidents of sex trafficking, reach out to us.
This blog was written in partnership with Rahel Bayar, CEO of The Bayar Group. For more information on navigating sex trafficking prevention and response, please contact The Bayar Group.
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