29th Parliamentary-Intelligence Security Forum – Stopping Trafficking in Businesses and Supply Chains

Anne Basham began by thanking Congressman Pittinger for prioritizing human trafficking and highlighted the importance of the Interparliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking, which she leads. She emphasized that human trafficking is not only a human rights issue but also a global security concern, affecting every nation in some capacity for financial gain.

She shared a story of a business leader who recognized trafficking signs in an airport, reported it to authorities, and helped rescue a victim. This example illustrates how awareness and education can empower ordinary citizens to identify and act against trafficking. Basham stressed that only four percent of victims are ever identified, leaving the vast majority unseen, and that addressing trafficking begins with awareness.

At its core, human trafficking is a corrupt business model driven by financial motives, which positions businesses uniquely to disrupt it. Basham drew a parallel to collective business actions during the Ukraine war, showing how coordinated private sector efforts can influence outcomes.

She introduced the Businesses Against Trafficking (BAT) program, which trains small and medium-sized enterprises to recognize and report trafficking within their workplaces and communities. She cited Mississippi as a case study, where the program helped identify over 3,000 victims, demonstrating the potential impact if businesses are widely engaged.

Ms. Basham concluded by providing a QR code for attendees to connect with the task force, access training, and support initiatives to spot and stop trafficking. She thanked participants for their time and reiterated the need for continued collective action, recognizing Senator Reynolds’ work as part of the ongoing effort.