A Multidisciplinary Approach to Combating Human Trafficking: Transportation, Hotels, and Supply Chains
Kezban Yagci Sokat, PhD (she/her); Mirah Rasoarimino (she/her); Pranav Santhakumar (he/him) & Amulya Bindu (she/her) | September 23 | 1:45-2:45 pm EDT
Topic: Research, International | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
Human trafficking intersects with multiple industries and systems, including transportation, hospitality, and global supply chains. Addressing trafficking therefore requires multidisciplinary, cross-sector approaches that combine policy, analytics, operational strategy, and community collaboration. This presentation brings together three complementary research initiatives examining how trafficking risks emerge—and can be disrupted—across interconnected systems. The first study focuses on transportation systems during major events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2026 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics. Through focus groups and case-study analysis, the research explores how transportation networks can support trafficking detection, coordinated intervention, and consistent data collection during periods of increased mobility and vulnerability. The second study investigates the role of hotels and hospitality spaces in trafficking operations through analyses of litigated trafficking cases and municipal nuisance-property enforcement strategies. Findings demonstrate how traffickers exploit anonymity and operational gaps while also highlighting opportunities for intervention through staff training, reporting protocols, and coordinated enforcement. The third study examines the European Union Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (EU CSDDD) and its implications for identifying and mitigating forced labor and trafficking risks in global supply chains. Using disclosure analysis and practitioner insights, the research evaluates organizational readiness and implementation gaps in corporate accountability efforts. Together, these projects demonstrate how trafficking prevention depends on coordinated action across transportation agencies, hospitality providers, businesses, municipalities, policymakers, and community organizations to strengthen prevention, accountability, and victim protection.
Presentation Objectives:
• Examine how transportation systems, hospitality spaces, and global supply chains intersect with human trafficking risks
• Identify operational, policy, and governance vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit across industries and major events
• Explore multidisciplinary strategies for prevention, detection, intervention, and accountability across transportation, hospitality, and corporate sectors
• Evaluate emerging policy and due diligence frameworks that support stronger human trafficking prevention and victim protection efforts