“A key factor in stopping human trafficking is education. With over 20 million passengers passing through San Diego International Airport annually, it’s important that our airport and airline employees have the tools and means to identify victims,” said Angela Shafer-Payne, Vice President of Operations at San Diego International Airport. “Trainings like these are invaluable in helping airports join the fight to stop human trafficking.”

The training in San Diego on August 31 was excellent.  Thanks for a warm welcome from Susie Preiser (Airport Emergency Preparedness), Summer Stephan from the District Attorney’s office, Homeland Security and Ashlie Bryant, founder of 3 Strands Global, sponsor of this training and thank you to airport coordinator, Cameron Burkel. The Airline Ambassador team included Nancy Rivard, President, Alicia Kozakeiwicz, survivor, and Claire Dunnigan. 

More than 100,000 are children are in danger of being trafficked in the U.S. alone. Globally, there are 20 million victims enslaved today, more than at any other time in history. It is a sad fact that traffickers often use the speed and convenience of commercial air travel.

The passage of the FAA Extension Bill requires that every airline in the United States provide enhanced training to flight attendants “recognizing an responding to potential human trafficking victims.” This is also an issue for all airline personnel, as the perpetrators have been commonly found to be involved with drugs, arms and terrorism.  

Many thanks to Three Strands Global for support and we are hoping to recruit an airport team to participate in the Break Free Run in San on Sept 17th!