Kentucky State Senate Combats Trafficking

Kentucky Senate Unanimously Passes Resolution to Combat Trafficking with Hospitality Industry, Cites ECPAT-USA and The Code

The Kentucky State Senate approved a resolution to curtail child sex trafficking by encouraging Kentucky residents, employees, and agencies to use travel brands that are combating the crime. Specifically, the resolution cites ECPAT-USA and The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) and recommends that people use hotels, venues, and other brands that are members of The Code.

The resolution, Senate Resolution 149, recognizes the critical role the hospitality industry plays in preventing and ending child sex trafficking. It cites statistics that include findings from ECPAT-USA’s report, No Vacancy for Child Sex Traffickers.

The resolution highlights No Vacancy’s finding that 52% of U.S. hotels have received training to help prevent child sex trafficking as support for the measure. They also list the finding that “hotel managers and associates who have undergone training are much more aware of child sex trafficking and relevant state law (93%) than those who have not been trained (17%).”

“ECPAT-USA is excited to see Kentucky recognize how important it is for the travel industry to step up and protect children by joining The Code,” said ECPAT-USA’s Director of Private Sector Engagement, Michelle Guelbart. “We hope other states will follow their lead and encourage responsible travel.”

Senate Resolution 149 was introduced by Rep. Alice Forgy Kerr, R-Lexington. Kerr said that the hospitality industry has an important role to play in stopping trafficking, and she also noted that traffickers are drawn to hotels because of their anonymity, according to Kentucky Today.

The resolution unanimously passed the Senate with a 35-0 vote.