Aviation

In July 15 2016, the US Congress enacted Public Law 114-190, the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. Section 44734 now also includes a requirement that each air carrier provide cabin crew with initial and annual training regarding recognising and responding to potential human trafficking victims.

This was in response to the US obligations under the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (known as the Palermo Protocol), as well as seizing the opportunity to demonstrate how the civil aviation sector is actively contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including SDGs 5, 8 and 16 which draw specific attention to a shared priority to end human trafficking.

As the UK is also a signatory State to the Palermo Protocol, as well as the 2030 Agenda, we are also required to adopt measures to prevent means of transport operated by commercial aircraft operators from being used to traffic victims.

As the IAG recognises, cabin crew members are in a unique position to observe passengers over a prolong period of time, allowing them to use their observation skills to identify a potential victim of trafficking. But this requires knowledge on how traffickers and their victims present, as well as having a response and reporting procedure to follow if they are faced with a potential trafficking situation.

How we can help?

Illustro Consultancy Ltd. has developed a train-the-trainer package for airline operators to train their flight and cabin crews to ensure they can identify victims and have the confidence to respond appropriately.

The course has been developed through consultation with flight and cabin crew from major airlines, experiences of investigating international human trafficking, as well as the guidelines set by The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

The objectives of the training are to:

  • Enable cabin and flight crew to understand what human trafficking is
  • Ensure cabin and flight crew understand how it impacts on their individual and collective roles
  • Create opportunities for cabin crew to identify potential victims of human trafficking
  • Create opportunities for victims to self-identify as victims of human trafficking
  • Develop an Operator Policy and procedures for cabin and flight crew to follow if a potential victim is identified

The course covers 12 key thematic topics:

  • Definitions, legal elements and impact on duties and responsibilities
  • The driving factors behind trafficking
  • Differences and overlaps between trafficking and smuggling
  • The different forms of trafficking
  • Recruitment methods and actors involved
  • Psychological impact on victims of trafficking
  • Behavioural indicators of victims of traffickers
  • Developing an Operator Policy
  • Procedures in recognizing and responding to trafficking
  • Internal and external reporting mechanisms
  • Evidential capture
  • Briefings and personal welfare

Training Productions

We also offer a unique combination of subject matter expertise in human trafficking and specialised high quality anti-human trafficking productions, delivering a concise, informative and cost-effective package.

All productions are filmed at your locations and personalised to your requirements.

The anti-human trafficking shoot will include our consultants and production team visiting your locations to produce a personalised production which is professionally presented and covers all agreed requirements.

The bespoke training video can be used in initial training, as well as during annual SEP inputs.