2.17.17 – (LAA/LUS) – Airline Ambassadors International – Working to End Human Trafficking

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Friday, February 17, 2017

Working to End Human Trafficking

APFA is a longtime supporter of Airline Ambassadors International (AAI), an organization that has been on the forefront of human trafficking awareness and training.

Founded by retired APFA member, Nancy Rivard, AAI began as a network of airline employees who help children and families in need in under-privileged communities around the world. With the increase in human trafficking worldwide, Nancy quickly recognized that Flight Attendants are in a unique position to identify and report suspected cases of human trafficking.

Traffickers often use the convenience of commercial aviation to transport victims, and as Flight Attendants who know our aircraft and our passengers, we can often sense when something is not right.

Human trafficking is happening every day, affecting approximately 21 million victims globally, making it the second largest crime in the world. The International Labor Organization reported in 2014 that human slavery is a $150 BILLION dollar industry. Just in the past few weeks, AAI has been featured nationally on NBC Nightly News and CNN, as well as in many local outlets.

Your tip could save someone’s life. Save this ‘wallet card’ to your phone:

To report human trafficking, AAI has also developed the
free and easy to use TIP Line app.

AAI, following the Blue Lightning Initiative protocol, offers free trainings for airlines and airports to help aviation workers thwart human trafficking and save lives. Nancy and AAI recently completed their 52nd training in Houston leading up to the Super Bowl and more trainings are being planned. The Airline Ambassadors website has more information on upcoming trainings.

The Airline Ambassadors “Find Us” public awareness campaign launched last month and is raising funds for future trainings as well as beds for victims across the United States. As a supporter, APFA had their logo placed in the campaign ad that appeared in the January American Way magazine. APFA President Bob Ross spoke to the importance of human trafficking training for the “Find Us” campaign. The entire special has been uploaded for viewing.

Nancy Rivard will join the APFA Board of Directors Convention in St. Louis on March 7th at 9am for a half-hour of training on how to recognize and report human trafficking on airplanes. Please join us if you can.

In Unity,