Human trafficking affects thousands of individuals every year.
As a survivor of human trafficking herself, Gina Cavallo knows firsthand the horrors of this crime. Today, she is using her voice as an advocate, speaker, and author to raise awareness about this issue. According to Cavallo, education is critical in the fight against human trafficking. By providing education on the signs of trafficking and how to prevent it, we can work towards eradicating this heinous crime.
According to Cavallo, identifying a victim or trafficker is a challenging task because they can easily blend in with anyone. Their appearance can be deceiving, and there is no specific face that can be associated with them. “They can look like me or you,” Cavallo stated. Human trafficking doesn’t discriminate, and that’s what makes it even harder to recognize.
Cavalla expressed her support for a recently proposed bipartisan initiative aimed at broadening training opportunities.
The Blue Campaign, which offers training to law enforcement and private sector members, is currently being run by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In 2024, the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would facilitate the establishment of a certification program. This program would serve as an incentive for employers belonging to specific industries to encourage their employees to undergo human trafficking awareness training.
According to legislators, individuals employed in the entertainment, hospitality, and transportation industries are likely to be the initial point of contact for detecting potential cases of human trafficking.
Cavallo is of the opinion that the training should not be restricted to particular professions.
She emphasized the need for the fight against human trafficking to be widespread and comprehensive, stating, “It has to be everywhere. It has to be across the board.” She highlighted the fact that this issue affects individuals in various sectors, including amusement parks, the modeling industry, and even schools, stating, “Because human trafficking affects people at amusement parks, it affects people in the modeling industry, in schools – it’s happening at schools.”
According to Cavallo, it is essential to include survivors as a key component in the training process.
She emphasized the importance of not treating survivors as mere tokens, but rather valuing their input and allowing them to share their lived experiences. “Bringing survivors to the table so they could be heard and seen,” she stated.
In her book, A Survivor’s Secrets, Cavallo has included various resources that can be beneficial for students, parents, and caregivers.
The proposal has also gained the endorsement of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
AHLA’s Interim President & CEO, Kevin Carey, expressed his appreciation for the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act. This act would act as a valuable complement to hotels’ anti-trafficking efforts by offering third-party validation for their training and prevention initiatives. Carey further added that AHLA is eager to assist Representatives Valadao and Carter in passing this crucial bill into law.
In the previous year, the Department of Homeland Security apprehended over 2,600 individuals for offenses relating to human trafficking. Additionally, the agency provided aid to more than 730 victims.
