Bradley International Airport Joins Effort to Help Bring Awareness to Human Trafficking

Bradley International Airport is joining a national effort to help fight one of the fastest-growing criminal industries in the world – human trafficking.

Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion in exchange for labor, services, or commercial sex. Human trafficking affects people of every age, gender, nationality and socioeconomic status. Air travel is often used as a mode of transportation for traffickers to transport their victims from one location to another. To help bring awareness to this topic, Bradley International Airport is the first airport in Connecticut to launch a public awareness campaign, which includes signage in the main terminal and in the airport restrooms. Human trafficking experts cite restrooms as an ideal location for signage because it is one of the few places a victim may be separated from the trafficker – allowing them to get resources for help.

“Bradley International Airport is committed to educating our colleagues and passengers about this concerning issue,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director. “We are joining airports across the nation in calling attention to human trafficking so we can raise awareness and ensure victims get the help they need.”

Since its inception in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received more than 2,200 reports of human trafficking in Connecticut through phone, text, email and online submission. Those reports have identified more than 600 cases of human trafficking, which involved nearly 1,300 victims. However, most incidents of human trafficking are not reported and therefore the number of trafficked victims in Connecticut could be much greater.

“We should be doing all we can to prevent and address human trafficking,” said State Representative Jillian Gilchrest, who is also co-chair of Connecticut’s Trafficking in Persons Council. “I am so proud that Bradley International Airport is joining a national effort to post important information that will educate the public and have the potential to provide victims with the help they need!”

Bradley International Airport has been working on launching this public awareness campaign in partnership with Connecticut’s Trafficking in Persons Council and Love146, a non-profit anti-child trafficking organization.

"People think human trafficking isn’t a Connecticut problem, but we’ve helped nearly 1,000 young people in our Survivor Care program right here in the state,” said Erin Williamson, Love146 Chief Programs and Strategy Officer. “Too often, victims of human trafficking go unnoticed—even when the crime is unfolding in our midst. Those being harmed need to be seen and supported. More understanding of human trafficking is critical, and steps like this are an important part of making that happen."

Here are signs to look out for in an airport that could indicate someone is a possible victim of human trafficking:

• Traveler is unable to provide details about their travel, such as destination or flight information
• Traveler has someone speaking for them
• Adult traveler is not carrying their own identification documents
• Traveler does not have any luggage
• Traveler shows signs of physical abuse
• Traveler exhibits fear, anxiety, tension, nervousness and/or avoids eye contact.

If you believe you have information on a human trafficking situation, or you may be a victim of human trafficking, contact:

• Anonymously report suspected human trafficking to the Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423 or visit ice.gov/tips
• Get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP or INFO to 233733 (BeFree)
• If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911