The first anti-human trafficking training developed by a port authority will be rolled out this year to ensure staff have the knowledge and resources to recognise and respond to instances of human trafficking.

Developed by the Port of Seattle, in partnership with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), the training for staff and others who work at the port has been launched as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month takes place in the US.

“The Port has made a commitment to safety and security, that includes learning to help spot and stop human trafficking,” said Port of Seattle Commission president Peter Steinbrueck. “This training will provide our staff and partners with the know-how to interrupt the traffickers that make this issue such a pervasive local concern and reach victims of human trafficking to ensure the airport and our maritime facilities are safe and welcoming for our community.”

‘Ports to Freedom: Human Trafficking Training Prevention’ encompasses an e-Learning module and in-person training sessions. The training sessions ensure port employees understand what human trafficking is, as well as how to identify, report and stop human trafficking that may take place in or around port facilities.

Port employees have already participated in one of three in-person training sessions. Additionally, the port police department has previously developed its own law enforcement-specific human trafficking intervention training.

On 9 January 2018, the Port of Seattle Commission passed a motion directing staff to finalise and implement a port-wide strategy to combat human trafficking.

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