Tag Archive: Marriott International

How Suburban State Rep Got Hotels Joining The Fight Against Human Trafficking

November 8, 2019

Hotel and motel employees are being enlisted in the fight against human trafficking in Illinois under a new state law authored by a suburban legislator.

Loquaciously called the Lodging Establishment Human Trafficking Recognition Training Act, the law mandates that workers be trained on how to recognize the signs of trafficking and report them to authorities.

That goes for all workers at all hotels — not just the local no-tell motels people might incorrectly believe are the only places where trafficking occurs.

“It goes on in all (hotels),” state Rep. Terra Costa Howard told us this week.

Costa Howard, a freshman Democrat from Glen Ellyn, introduced the bill in February. Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law Aug. 23, and it goes into effect June 1, 2020.

Human trafficking has been at the forefront for Costa Howard since her days as an assistant public defender in DuPage County, when she represented people who might have been trafficking victims.

She said workers might notice little things that make them suspicious, such as one person doing all the talking for a couple or group, or standing in a position that indicates control over another person.

To read the full story by Keeshan and Suan Sarkauska on The Daily Herald: Click Here

Inside Look At How A Hotel Giant Is Preventing Sex Trafficking

June 17, 2019

The front line of stopping sex trafficking could be at the front desk. Soon, the state may require all hotels to train their staff to recognize the signs of a trafficking victim. But the world’s largest hotel chain is not waiting.

Over the past two years, Marriott International has trained 600,000 employees on how to spot the signs of human trafficking. All new hires are taught these signs as well. And there are posters to remind employees and raise awareness.

For example, behind the postcard-picture view from the J.W. Marriott Resort on Marco Island is an undercurrent of vigilance to prevent human trafficking.

Tu Rinsche, the global director of social impact for Marriott International, said every department in the hotel has different types of signs to look for.

“It’s definitely not just one sign that leads to trafficking,” Rinsche said.

Sharon Lockwood, general manager of the J.W. Marriott on Marco Island, said there are several signs that can catch her attention. Some guests may seem disoriented or malnourished, wearing the same clothes day after day. Or the trafficking victim could have multiple bruises in different stages of healing, avoids eye contact or cannot speak freely.

To read the full story by Teri Evans and Michael Mora on Wink News: Click Here