Tourism industry employees learned how to recognize the signs of human trafficking in an educational workshop Wednesday sponsored by Women in Lodging and Tourism.

The workshop covered trafficking indicators hotel employees should look for and the appropriate steps to take. In the definition of human trafficking, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security includes any commercial sex act induced by force, fraud or coercion, or in which the person forced to do the act is underage.

Moderated by Jerry Dolak, director of security and safety at Outrigger Resorts, the panelists included Jessica Munoz, founder and president of nonprofit Ho‘ola Na Pua; Kevin Takata, administrator of the criminal justice division of the state Department of the Attorney General; and Renata Del Moral, victim assistant specialist from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Takata said that a “do not disturb” sign on a guest’s hotel room door that has been there for an extended amount of time, a request for a room by an exit door or a minor accompanying an adult with a different last name can be indicators of human trafficking.

If an employee has an established rapport with a guest, they may also ask if the victim or their family has been threatened with harm if the victim attempts to escape or if the victim can freely contact their friends or family.

“The more that we talk to people and create awareness, the more that people are able to recognize some of the red flags and able to call law enforcement to report these type of activities,” Del Moral said.

The workshop was held in conjunction with the Hawaii Lodging Hospitality and Foodservice Expo. For more information or to report suspicious activities call 1-866-347-2432 or visit dhs.gov.