Many thanks for support of Wanda Sarnacki and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. Jack Christine, COO of the airport opened this training with Lt. Moore representing law enforcement. Representatives from Senator Tillis and Congresswoman Adams office joined as well. Volunteers from the audience coordinated a spontaneous “scenario” to re-enact a potential trafficking situation in flight. To support ECPAT and the End It Movement, participants drew a red X on their hands to show solidarity in the fight against human trafficking. Voice of America TV also filmed and here is their story on our training!
The presentation was followed by the movie “Priceless”, (complete with popcorn)!
Michele Krick, Nancy Rivard & Donna Hubbard
Jack Christine – Welcome
CLT President APFA Wanda Sarnacki
Police participation
Chris Davison & Capt Phil Page
Donna & Jerome Woodard – CLT Security
Donna filming with Voice of America
fun pic with Carolyn Presutti of VOA
Showing solidarity with End It Movement
MEDIA ALERT Date: February 21, 2018
AIRLINE AMBASSADORS TO HOLD TRAINING TO RECOGNIZE & REPORT
SUSPECTED HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 21, 2018. 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Piedmont Auditorium, Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
TRAINING HOSTS: Association of Professional Flight Attendants (CLT -APFA)
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) will conduct its 68th Airport Training at Charlotte Douglas International Airport to help raise awareness of Human Trafficking. The training is available to all airport employees. AAI has led global airline industry awareness for Trafficking in Persons since 2010 and developed the first industry specific training after correctly identifying trafficking on four 4 airlines.
Airport officials will welcome participants followed by remarks by law enforcement, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. The AAI training will be followed by a showing of the movie “Priceleless”.
Every year, adults and children are being trafficked through North Carolina’s airports. The United States and the State of North Carolina have laws to protect victims and penalize perpetrators of human trafficking, which is commonly defined as people profiting from the exploitation of others, controlling them by force, fraud, or coercion.
North Carolina has been named one of the top 10 states for human trafficking. Cases have been documented in which traffickers have misrepresented themselves as sports coaches, employers and family members of trafficked victims. Airport personnel at ticket counters, gates and other areas of airport operations are in a unique position to be able to identify potential victims and report potential incidents to law enforcement agencies in order to rescue victims and bring traffickers to justice.
Sex trafficking survivor, Donna Hubbard will share her riveting story as part of the presentation. Donna is a trainer for Airline Ambassadors and now runs Women at the Well Transition Center to help women like herself pull their lives together. She works as a flight attendant for a major airline and her testimony makes the training come alive.
Media Welcome
QUOTES FROM OFFICIALS AND EVENT HOSTS
Jack Christine, CLT Chief Operating Officer
“Charlotte Douglas International Airport recognizes the importance of raising awareness of Human Trafficking. We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to train and equip our front-line employees with the information and resources they need to assist in identifying this crime.”
Bob Ross, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants
“As far as criminal activity goes, human trafficking is amongst the most despicable. The perpetrators are modern day slave trade dealers operating within a vast global network. Policing this crime is exceptionally difficult, which is why vigilance on the part of all transportation industry employees is crucial. Flight attendants have the ability to catch human traffickers in the act. With more face to face exposure time than probably anyone else, a trafficking or victim will encounter during the crime, we have a unique opportunity to identify atrocities as they occur. “
Donna Hubbard, AAI Trainer, Flight attendant, Human Trafficking survivor
It’s really important for all the first responders and frontline responders to be on the same page. In order for that to happen the training must have continuity and be standardized: everyone is getting the same information. We all need to get the same information the same way, know where to report it and what information is important for us to keep track of.
Wanda Sarnacki, AAI Trainer and APFA Base President CLT
“As a flight attendant and crew member, I realize the importance of being able to properly identify and report instances of Human Trafficking. Many years ago, I suspected seeing someone being trafficked, and felt helpless because I didn’t know what to do or whom to contact. I wish I knew then what I know now”
Greg Bristol, President Human Trafficking Investigations and Training Institute (HTITI)
“As first responders, police officers play a critical role in uncovering human trafficking which often appears as domestic violence, labor disputes, or prostitution. Once formerly trained, police officers inside and outside airports have the opportunity to identify and arrest the traffickers
Nancy Rivard, President, Airline Ambassadors
“Trafficking is a 365 day a year problem, and are using this opportunity to raise awareness. Trained airport and travel industry personnel can be our first line of defense and trained personnel will give traffickers the message – CLT Airport is NOT a place to do business”
About Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) (www.airlineamb.org) AAI leverages airline contacts to provide for orphans and vulnerable children worldwide. Members volunteer as medical escorts for children in need, hand-deliver humanitarian aid to orphanages, clinics, and remote communities, and educate and advocate for child protection and human trafficking awareness around the world. AAI teams have presented at 68 airports for human trafficking awareness.
