We represent women who have been victimized by sex trafficking, but in order for us to help them, they have to find a away out of the cycle of abuse. Oftentimes it’s very tough for victims to escape on their own, and outside intervention is necessary. So how can we help stop sex trafficking? By knowing the signs, and speaking up when something seems out of place.
One of the most common areas where sex trafficking and prostitution takes place is at hotels or motels. So today, we’re going to share some tips for spotting sex trafficking at hotels that front desk workers, maids and other guests can use to help put an end to sex trafficking.
Spotting Sex Trafficking At Hotels
Here’s a look at four signs that sex trafficking may be taking place, and alerting the front desk or police may be wise.
1. Old Man/Young Woman at Check In – Now, there’s a chance that a father and daughter are checking into a hotel while mom parks the minivan outside, but if they don’t seem to be acting like family, and the woman is disheveled looking, avoiding eye contact, or is wearing a lot of makeup to make her appear older than she is, it’s a big red flag. Also, if the room is paid for in cash, even if a reservation was made with a card, that’s another warning sign that the individual does not want a paper trail involved, and it could signal sex trafficking.
2. Sneaking Through The Side Door – Sex traffickers are smart enough to know that they can’t just parade a group of girls through the lobby, so many times they will check in on their own and then sneak the girls into the hotel through a side door. Employees should monitor any alternative entrances with the aid of surveillance cameras, and guests can also report large groups being brought in through side doors.
3. Men Lingering – Sex traffickers don’t want anyone getting wise to their operation, so oftentimes they’ll keep a close watch on the girls or the room in which the activities are taking place. If you are staying on the same floor as someone who keeps lingering in the hallway or in front of a certain door, or if a bunch of men keep entering and exiting from one room, report it to the front desk.
4. What’s In A Room – There are a number of things inside a hotel room that hotel maids and employees should look for that may signal that sex trafficking is taking place. For example, some signs of sex trafficking include:
- Declining room service for days in a row
- Large amounts of condoms, cell phones or computers
- One room being charged with a large amount of television pornography
- Very limited belongings
None of these factors always signal that sex trafficking is taking place, but if a couple of factors are present, especially if the patron has booked two rooms next to one another, then it’s worth reporting these signs to law enforcement.
If you or someone you know has been victimized by sex trafficking or prostitution, give Appelman Law Firm a call today. We have helped a number of individuals in your same position, and we’re confident we can help you as well. Give us a call to set up your free, no obligation case review today.
