Ferries become frontline in human trafficking prevention efforts [Video]

EDMONDS, Wash. — In conjunction with National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Washington State Ferries (WSF) is highlighting the work its employees are doing to help stop forced labor and sex trafficking. 

On Tuesday, the ferry system posted on its social media platforms that “all new fleet employees are required to complete a course on ‘Ports to Freedom: Human Trafficking Prevention.'” 

The training is conducted by Seattle-based nonprofit Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST).

“They recognize they’re in a place where controllers could be moving victims through our geographic region… They wanted to take a proactive stand on that,” said Kirsten Foot, the CEO of BEST. “While movement of a victim isn’t required for a crime to occur, very often victims of human trafficking are moved by their controller. They do it in the most …