Port of Tampa Bay employees learn to recognize signs of human trafficking
TAMPA, Fla. - Staff trained at Port Tampa Bay to fight human trafficking at sea on Monday. Leaders say the port's size makes it a crucial hub in the effort.
Spokespeople say the port became the first port authority in the nation to receive 'Ports to Freedom Human Trafficking Awareness training' from Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Combatting Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award.
"Human trafficking can occur in many different settings within the maritime industry. It can happen on cruise ships, fishing vessels, or shipping and cargo vessels as well," BEST spokesperson Brianna Cho said.
"Oftentimes the victims of human trafficking are isolated when they're onboard ships," Cho said.
Victims exploited at sea can often only ask for help when their vessel docks at a seaport. But in an unfamiliar country, they may not know how they can receive assistance.
Photo courtesy: Port Tampa Bay
That's why employees worked on placing multilingual signs throughout port facilities to educate both victims and bystanders on how to contact the national human trafficking hotline.
Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline from 2021 shows Florida has the third most signals submitted to their hotline. Signals can be phone calls, texts, online tip reports or emails.
The numbers also show the most common venues of potential trafficking include spas and motels. But Port Tampa Bay officials want their maritime staff to always be ready.
In addition, seaport employees were trained on how to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, so they can learn how to safely report it.
"Every person deserves a life of dignity. I am proud of Port Tampa Bay’s partnership with BEST and our actions to bring awareness and lead toward an end of the scourge of human trafficking. Our staff and port partners take pride on being at the forefront of this issue," explained Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President & CEO. "This training, which targets the maritime community, will raise life-changing awareness to our staff and port partners."
"Anybody can be a victim of human trafficking. It doesn't matter your gender, your race, your age, your immigration status. Really, anyone can fall victim to exploitation when they're in vulnerable circumstances," Cho said.
If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
You can also submit an anonymous tip online here: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/report-trafficking