When staying at a hotel, we expect a safe and comfortable place to relax and enjoy the time away from home. Hotels should provide a reasonable standard of care to their guests. Unfortunately, many hotels are also unwitting or even complicit participants in sexual trafficking operations.

Owners and operators of hotels must take measures to protect their patrons and train their employees to recognize and respond to trafficking situations. If they fail to prevent or address sex trafficking concerns, they may face liability for crimes or injuries that occur on the property.

If you are a survivor of hotel sex trafficking, a sex trafficking lawyer can help you hold the hotel company accountable for their negligence and abuse.

At Edwards Henderson, we have helped survivors recover compensation and hold companies like hotels accountable for ignoring or benefitting from sex trafficking.

What is Sex Trafficking?

Sex trafficking is a heinous crime involving the exploitation of vulnerable people for the purpose of commercial sex. Trafficking and forced sexual labor are a form of modern-day slavery that strips individuals of their freedom and dignity. This leaves them with lasting physical and emotional scars.

According to the Polaris Project, in 2021 alone, the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received 10,359 reports of human trafficking involving 16,554 individuals.

Traffickers use a variety of tactics to control their targets, including manipulation, intimidation, and violence. They may also threaten harm against the victim’s family members or loved ones if they try to escape or seek help.

Anyone can be affected by sex trafficking, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or social status. However, sex trafficking disproportionately affects women and children, particularly the at-risk or marginalized.

Sex trafficking lawyers can provide survivors of sex trafficking with the legal representation and support needed to navigate a sex trafficking lawsuit. Experienced attorneys work closely with law enforcement and service providers to ensure that survivors of trafficking are protected and their rights are upheld.

Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a global issue that involves the exploitation and coercion of individuals for various purposes, including forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking that specifically involves the forced or coerced sexual exploitation of people, often minors.

Sex Trafficking in Hotels: How Common is it?

A massive criminal enterprise, sex trafficking generates approximately $99 billion in revenue yearly, at the expense of the survivors. Recent sex trafficking statistics suggest that hotels and motels are hotspots for human trafficking in the United States.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 3,596 cases of human trafficking involving a hotel or motel have been reported since 2007. This number is just the tip of the iceberg, as many cases go unreported, making statistics of sex trafficking in hotels hard to pin down.

The Polaris Project surveyed trafficking survivors and found that 75% reported coming into contact with hotels at some point during their trafficking situation. Traffickers in all 50 states take advantage of unwitting hotel franchisees and rely on them to facilitate their illicit businesses.

Hotels may be implicated in a range of sex trafficking situations, such as escort services, pornography, and solicitation. Hotel owners and staff should know the signs of sex trafficking and have protocols in place for reporting and responding to suspected cases.

How Does Hotel Sex Trafficking Occur?

Hotels and motels are common venues for sex trafficking due to their easy access, ability to pay in cash, and lack of facility maintenance expenses. Traffickers, commonly known as “pimps,” often act as individual controllers, maintaining complete control of those they abuse.

They may create a false sense of romantic relationship or become a caretaker or father figure to create dependencies between themselves and their targets. This creates a situation where individuals feel indebted to their traffickers and are less likely to attempt escape.

In some cases, traffickers may take on the role of a business manager in a hotel/motel-based commercial sex situation. They find locations, manage finances, and advertise the operation to potential clients. Commercial sex within hotels and motels is most frequently advertised through online platforms. This makes it easier for traffickers to conceal their identity and evade the authorities.

Traffickers often target vulnerable individuals in need of money or those who lack social support. They are typically lured through promises of work, love, or a better life. They could be offered incentives such as food, shelter, or drugs in exchange for compliance.

Once lured into the hotel room, these people are typically coerced or threatened into performing sexual acts for money, with the pimp or trafficker pocketing the majority of the profits. Hotels are often complicit in these situations, either turning a blind eye or actively participating in the exploitation.

Hotel Sex Trafficking: Recent Lawsuits

In 2021 alone, survivors filed 17 new civil suits against hotels for their role in facilitating sex trafficking, alleging the hotels knew or should have known of the trafficking taking place on their premises and failed to address or prevent it.

The lawsuits were filed in federal courts across the United States, and the defendants include well-known hotel chains such as Hilton, Wyndham, and Marriott.

Godfrey Hotel Sex Trafficking

Recently, a TikTok user shared her harrowing experience at the Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood, alleging that an employee tried to enter her room without knocking. She later accused the hotel of attempting to sex traffick her.

The incident gained traction online and raised questions about hotel safety protocols. While the hotel denied any involvement in sex trafficking, it serves as a reminder of the dangers and risks of staying in hotels, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

Irvine Hotel Sex Trafficking

In 2017, a national prostitution ring was traced to a home in Irvine, California, where four people were charged with multiple counts of racketeering and sex trafficking. The four defendants posted thousands of advertisements for sexual services on Backpage.com in 29 states over the last two years.

The survivors were mostly Chinese and Korean nationals who didn’t speak English and had their passports taken away, making escaping their traffickers difficult.

Wyndham Hotel Sex Trafficking

In December 2019, a woman filed a lawsuit alleging she was trafficked out of hotels owned by Wyndham Hotels in Hampton, Virginia in 2012. The woman claimed she was forced to perform sex acts on men multiple times a day, and her trafficker paid hotel staff to look the other way.

Wyndham brands have appeared in at least two hundred federal criminal trafficking cases over the last twenty years, according to Human Trafficking Institute data. In response, attorneys have requested a federal panel to consolidate at least 21 such lawsuits pending in 11 states into a single case in federal court in Columbus.

This move would let the lawsuits be heard in a more efficient and consistent manner, possibly leading to a more significant change in how hotel chains address and prevent sex trafficking on their properties.

Marriott Hotel Sex Trafficking

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against major hotel chains, including Marriott, accusing them of not just ignoring sex trafficking on their properties, but profiting from it. Marriott International would not comment on pending litigation but is working to help combat the horrific crime of human trafficking in hotels.

The company developed training in partnership with leading human rights organizations to teach hotel workers the signs of human trafficking and how to respond. The training is mandatory for all its hotel workers since 2017, and to date, more than 700,000 employees have completed it.

Best Western Hotel Sex Trafficking

In 2019, a woman filed a lawsuit against three hotel chains, including Best Western International, Inc., Hyatt Corporation, and Red Lion Hotels Corporation, claiming they were complicit in sex trafficking, including child sex trafficking.

The woman was first sex-trafficked at the age of four when her father sold her to traffickers in Irving to sustain his drug addiction. She was “brutally abused,” often blindfolded and visibly malnourished when she was checked into hotels. Bellmen would meet her and other children when they arrived at the hotels and then bring them to buyers.

Many hotel and motel brands use a franchise model, which can make holding all potentially negligent parties responsible for sex trafficking difficult.

Legislation like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) brings hope to sex trafficking survivors. With these acts, survivors may bring civil actions against third parties who ignore or knowingly benefit from participation in a sex trafficking operation.

Survivors across the country have filed lawsuits against hotels where trafficking occurred, resulting in increased pressure on the industry to take action. To combat sex trafficking, hotels must still do much more.

Hilton Hotel Sex Trafficking Protocols

Hilton Hotels has been at the forefront of implementing new policies in the fight against sex trafficking within their properties. The hotel chain’s policy has hotel staff report any suspicious activity to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations Tip Line, including guests who may be involved in sex trafficking or exploiting children.

While the policy was praised by anti-trafficking organizations such as Polaris, it has also faced criticism for potentially putting people in danger. Critics argue that reporting suspicious activity to ICE could result in the arrest of trafficked, undocumented individuals.

Other hotel chains, such as Marriott and Hyatt, have also adopted similar measures to combat these increasingly-common sex trafficking methods.

Identify & Report Hotel Sex Trafficking

One of the most crucial steps in fighting against sex trafficking in hotels is identifying it early on and alerting the authorities.

Red flags that both travelers and hotel employees should be aware of include:

Red Flags for Travelers/Other Guests:

Constant flow of different men or women in and out of one room
Minors unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian, especially if they appear distressed
Evidence of drug use, such as drug paraphernalia or strange odors coming from a specific room
An unwillingness to make eye contact or communicate with hotel staff
Visible signs of physical abuse or injuries, such as bruises or cuts
People dressed inappropriately for their apparent age or for the weather
Different visitors entering and exiting a room at an unusual rate

Red Flags for Hotel Managers/Employees:

Large groups of people being booked under one reservation
Guests paying for rooms in cash, or multiple rooms paid for in one transaction
Hotel guests who attempt to interfere with or control the cleaning of their room
Guests who request a room near an exit or a room with no windows
Guests who frequently change rooms or request multiple keys without a clear reason
Guests who request specific services, such as extra towels or bedding, at odd hours

How To Report Suspected Sex Trafficking

If you notice any of these signs or suspect that hotel sex trafficking is taking place, report it immediately. Contact local law enforcement or the National Human Trafficking Hotline by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting HELP to 233733 (BEFREE). Provide as much information as possible, including the description of those involved, room numbers, and any other pertinent details.

Other resources for survivors of sex trafficking include:

Polaris: Polaris combats sex and labor trafficking through a variety of programs and initiatives. The organization offers resources for survivors, training, and education for professionals, and policy advocacy to prevent trafficking.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): The NCMEC is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing children and combating exploitation, including sex trafficking. They offer a hotline for reporting suspected trafficking or exploitation at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) and online at cybertipline.org.
Shared Hope International: Shared Hope is a non-profit organization focusing on ending sex trafficking through prevention, restoration, and advocacy. Their website offers a wealth of resources, including information on warning signs, reporting, and survivor support.

When Should I Contact a Sex Trafficking Attorney?

If you or someone you know are a survivor of hotel sex trafficking, you should contact a sex trafficking attorney as soon as you feel comfortable. The sooner you reach out to a qualified attorney, the better your chance of receiving justice and compensation for damages incurred.

At Edwards Henderson, we understand how complex, sensitive, and consequential these cases are. Our sexual assault lawyers have ample experience handling sex trafficking lawsuits and can help you fight for the justice, closure, and compensation you deserve.

From individuals to businesses and corporations, our sex trafficking attorneys work tirelessly to hold those who contribute to sex trafficking accountable,

Hotel Sex Trafficking: FAQs

1. Who is most likely to be a trafficker?

Anyone may be a trafficker, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. However, studies show that traffickers often have a history of violence, abuse, or trauma. In some cases, traffickers may be family members or close acquaintances who emotionally manipulate and coerce their targets.

2. What role does social media play in sex trafficking?

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram make advertising victims online and connecting with new ones easier for traffickers, who often create fake profiles and use coded language to avoid detection.

In one high-profile case, Andrew and Tristan Tate were accused of recruiting women through false promises of love and marriage on social media, before forcing them into pornography.

3. How do sex traffickers target their victims?

Sex traffickers lure and target people using various tactics. They may befriend vulnerable individuals, offer them job opportunities, or promise them a better life.

Traffickers also exploit those who are homeless, runaways, or suffering from addiction. These predators gain control intimidation and violence before forcing them into sex work.

4. What is the Trafficking Victims Protection Act?

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is a federal law enacted in 2000 to combat human trafficking and protect survivors. It established criminal penalties for sex trafficking and labor trafficking, as well as created survivor assistance programs.

The TVPA has been instrumental in raising awareness about human trafficking and providing resources and support for survivors.

5. I am a sex trafficking survivor. Can I sue the hotel responsible for covering up my sex trafficking?

Yes, survivors of hotel sex trafficking can potentially sue the hotel responsible for their exploitation. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act lets survivors hold businesses accountable for their involvement in trafficking. Several recent lawsuits have targeted hotels for not properly training their staff, participating in trafficking, or ignoring sex trafficking signs.

Holding hotels accountable for their role in covering up sex trafficking is an important step in seeking justice and preventing further exploitation. A sex abuse attorney can determine if you have a case against a hotel and guide you through the legal process.

Contact an Experienced and Compassionate Hotel Sex Trafficking Lawyer

If you or a loved one are a survivor of hotel sex trafficking, you need an experienced and compassionate lawyer like Edwards Henderson. Our team provides compassionate support and expert legal representation to help survivors seek justice.

Hotel Sex Trafficking

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