Hotels step up efforts to ID sex-trafficking

WASHINGTON — It’s a growing crime that mainly occurs in hotels causing proprietors to step up efforts against the increasing trend of sex trafficking in the Washington area.

Instead of pretending it’s not happening, some hotels are training their staff to spot a sex trafficking victim at the hotel.

Time Magazine reports the first line of defense is vigilance on the part of the front desk of a hotel by:

  • looking for guests who check in without any luggage
  • noticing if someone pays for the room in cash
  • observing if there are several men just hanging out in the lobby or parking lot

Hotel guests are also urged to report an unusual amount of traffic in and out of a room.

WTOP’s Kathy Stewart contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on the WTOP Facebook page.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up