visa. Depending on the country and the nature of the employment, you or your employer may be responsible for securing the visa, and make sure to check with the country’s regulations to confirm before accepting an offer. ● Know how to access emergency services in that country. If there is an emergency number (equivalent to 911 in the U.S.), memorize this number or keep it in a safe place. Memorize the address and contact information for your embassy or consulate in that country. ● U.S. citizens should visit the U.S. Department of State website for information on how to register their travel details with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): https://travelregistration.state.gov. ● For U.S. citizens experiencing emergencies overseas, contact the local embassy or consulate, or the U.S. State Department Office of Overseas Citizen Services at 888- 407-4747 (from the U.S. or Canada) or 202-501-4444 (from overseas) inspect, fine, and shut down illicit venues that violate the laws against human trafficking. Steps must be taken to enforce existing laws to inspect and raid these venues, prosecute the clientele, and shut down the operation. Uniform state and local laws and strict enforcement will keep traffickers from closing a shop and moving it to a less restricted location. Tighter regulations need to be enacted concerning hours of operation; business practices; standards; ownership disclosures; physical space requirements; health standards; licensing and certification; building, zoning, and code enforcement similar to those required for other health providers. For instance, some states have passed laws that require front door access, and eliminate buzzers and locked doors to address clandestine entry and exits used in illicit massage venues. The Polaris Project contains a number of articles related to strategies for industry changes to prevent and eradicate illicit massage sites that engage in human trafficking. These and other valuable resources are contained in the executive summary on the Polaris Project website: https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ Human-Trafficking-in-Illicit-Massage-Businesses- Executive-Summary.pdf. The National Hotline lists the following Florida specific resources for assistance: ● 1HTC, Inc. Phone: (813) 816-1482. ● Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc. Hotline: (239) 939-3112. Phone: (239) 939-2553. ● Advocates for Freedom Phone: (228) 806-3492. ● Alachua County Coalition Against Human Trafficking Phone: (352) 639-0924. ● Americans for Immigrant Justice (AIJ) Hotline: (305) 573-1196. Phone: (305) 573-1106. ● Ark of Freedom Alliance Hotline: (954) 778-2871. Phone: (954) 778-2871. ● Bethany Christian Services (Florida) Hotline: (407) 877-4006. Phone: (407) 877-4006. ● Bikers Against Trafficking Hotline: (407) 300-8971. Phone: (407) 300-8971. ● Broward Human Trafficking Coalition Phone: 1-888-373-7888
employment opportunities may raise red flags for human trafficking. When considering new employment: ● Request information about the position, scope of work, and hours/conditions of the position. ● Do not provide personal information (address, Social Security Number) to the employer if you do not feel comfortable. ● If meeting with the employer, make sure a trusted friend/ relative knows where you are going and what time you expect to return. ● Plan to meet the employer in a public place where others are around. ● Verify that the business is legitimate by asking for the Employer Identification Number (EIN). This information can be checked by calling the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at (800) 829-4933 (for U.S. businesses only). ● Ask to speak with former employees/clients about their experience with the company. This can be particularly important for positions abroad. ● If the employment opportunity involves travel to another country, make sure you obtain the appropriate Conclusion Professionals in the massage/spa industry are on the front line of the important fight against human trafficking hiding under the guise of legitimate massage therapy practice. They must be vigilant to identify and report these illicit businesses and suspected victims and build awareness of resources for victim support and assistance in their industry and community. They must communicate with colleagues and encourage them to educate themselves to identify and report human trafficking to help victims gain access to the network of support. Building awareness and training throughout the massage therapy industry is critical to eliminate these crimes to protect and the ensure the health and safety of massage employees, clients, and the community. Professionals have an obligation to protect other colleagues, clients, and themselves from illicit massage venues that may be part of a supply chain for human trafficking and must work together to eliminate illicit shops engaging in criminal activity. These illicit and dangerous venues damage the reputation, integrity, and success of legitimate massage therapy practiced by professionals who provide valuable healthcare services. Massage professionals must advocate for stricter, uniform, enforceable civil laws so that government agencies can Additional resources The following information is directly from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 2020: ● This online referral directory is made up of anti- trafficking organizations and programs that offer emergency, transitional, or long-term services to victims and survivors of human trafficking as well as those that provide resources and opportunities in the anti- trafficking field. ● If you would like direct personal assistance, are having trouble accessing services, or cannot find what you are looking for, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline directly to speak with a hotline advocate 24/7: ○ 1-888-373-7888, text “BEFREE” or “HELP” to 233733 or email help@humantraffickinghotline.org
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