First, it’s important to understand specifically what human trafficking entails. There are two kinds, and they break down like so:
- Sex trafficking. Recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting a person for a commercial sex act.
- Labor trafficking. Recruiting, harboring, transporting, or obtaining a person for labor or services using force, fraud, or coercion.
So, how do you fight back in a way that protects both your employees and your business?
There are a number of recommended practices businesses can implement to minimize their liability, including engaging in prevention and working to proactively identify potential employee risk factors.
Prevention Best Practices
- Conduct thorough due diligence on suppliers and vendors.
- Establish clear policies and procedures for handling trafficking cases.
- Set up anonymous reporting channels for concerns.
- Train employees to recognize trafficking signs.
- Work with law enforcement and anti-trafficking organizations.
- Create an anti-trafficking policy – and enforce it.
Recognizing the Signs of a Potential Victim
Sex trafficking victims may have experienced:
- Recent migration
- Mental or physical health issues
- Substance abuse
- Unstable housing
- Runaway or homeless youth
- LGBTQ+ identification
- Economic hardship
- Abuse history
- Lack of social support
- Involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice system
Labor trafficking victims may have experienced:
- Recent migration
- Economic hardship
- Unstable housing
- Criminal records
- Substance abuse
- Restricted movement
- Excessive work hours
- Unpaid wages
- Threats or coercion
The bottom line is that you want to mitigate the risk of human trafficking and protect your business’s reputation, you need to put preventative measures into place and make sure you’re paying attention to the ever-evolving legal landscape.
Want to learn more about business liability for human trafficking or other issues? We can help.
