The Blue Campaign, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to stop human trafficking, announced Tuesday a new training program to help aviation industry personnel detect and report potential human trafficking.
The training initiative utilizes an interactive online module that identifies common signs of human trafficking that aviation professionals might encounter. It also explains how they can report potential trafficking to law enforcement.
DHS and the Department of Transportation (DOT) released the program through the Blue Campaign’s Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), a joint effort led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and DOT.
“This training will enhance awareness of human trafficking in the aviation sector, and we are pleased we can offer it to our BLI partners,” DHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Partnerships and Engagement John Barsa said. “Through our 20 BLI partners, which include airlines, a flight attendants’ association, and a training institute, we are empowering this uniquely positioned industry to be the difference that saves lives, and encourage other members of this sector to join us.”
BLI is a voluntary initiative open to airlines, industry associations and training institutes. DHS and DOT are currently reviewing the possibility of expanding the program outside of the United States.