LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Caesars
Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR), the world's most diversified
casino-entertainment provider, is strengthening its commitment to
end human trafficking in partnership with two global organizations
that lead the fight to prevent and eradicate the issue. In
observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Caesars
announced it has committed to combat commercial sexual exploitation
of children by signing ECPAT's Tourism Child-Protection Code of
Conduct (The Code), and joined a premier consortium of hospitality
leaders in the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), which
provides a platform for companies to share best practices to end
human trafficking.
"Victims of human trafficking, including those involved in the
commercial sex industry, do not choose to participate. Rather, they
are manipulated, brainwashed and forced based on unforeseen and,
oftentimes, seemingly inescapable circumstances," said Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Vice President
of Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Caesars
Entertainment. "We are deeply committed to eliminating sex
trafficking and all other forms of human trafficking in our
industry and beyond."
Human trafficking, which includes commercial sexual exploitation
and forced labor, is a complex issue and a particular challenge for
the hospitality industry as it often intersects with organized
crime activities including arms or drug sales and cybercrime.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), human
trafficking is estimated to be a $150
billion industry each year. To combat this issue, Caesars
has been actively developing comprehensive policies and protocols,
including collaboration with advocacy groups and national
frameworks, for several years.
The Code is a joint venture of the tourism and hospitality
sectors and ECPAT-USA, the leading
policy organization in the U.S. seeking to end the commercial
sexual exploitation of children. Caesars is the first global
gaming-entertainment company to sign. A set of shared business
principles that travel-related companies implement to prevent human
trafficking and exploitation, The Code establishes a framework for
companies to provide training, enact a value chain and educate,
support and collaborate with stakeholders.
"As the first global gaming-entertainment company to sign The
Code, Caesars Entertainment's efforts will be amplified through our
network as we identify and respond to human trafficking and child
exploitation," said Michelle
Guelbart, Director of Private Sector Engagement at
ECPAT-USA. "ECPAT-USA is excited about the new partnership and
the comprehensive angle Caesars is taking to address the
issue."
Additionally, Caesars joined other hospitality industry leaders
as a member of ITP. The organization is a unique industry coalition
that convenes leading hotel brands that recognize the need for
collective and collaborative action to achieve the group's set of
"Sustainable Development Goals," including those related to human
rights.
"We're delighted to welcome Caesars Entertainment to our
membership and aid in its mission to prevent and address instances
of human trafficking in all forms," said Madhu Rajesh, Director at ITP. "This important
step forward allows Caesars and our other partners the opportunity
to collaborate among like-minded and driven organizations to make
an impact on human rights issues like human trafficking."
Caesars Entertainment also combats human trafficking through its
pioneering, multi-year counter-trafficking program created in
collaboration with international trafficking and trauma expert Dr.
Halleh Seddighzadeh. As part of the
program, Caesars conducts customized, in-depth training of
Community Engagement Ambassadors at 12 resorts in Nevada and North
Carolina. Community Engagement Ambassadors are security
employees who are trained to identify potential indicators of human
trafficking, especially sex trafficking. The program also includes
anti-trafficking videos and signage along with victim-centered and
trauma-focused internal and external protocols and policies. In
observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Caesars will honor
its Las Vegas-region Community
Engagement Ambassadors with two ceremonies hosted by the company's
senior leadership.
"Businesses have the power to disrupt and intercept issues
related to human trafficking by shifting the narrative," said Dr.
Seddighzadeh. "By utilizing a victim-centered approach and training
Community Engagement Ambassadors, Caesars is actively combatting
commercial sexual exploitation at its roots and using business as a
powerful tool for healing and change."
Caesars shares its Stance Against Human Trafficking on its
website as part of its Corporate Code of Commitment. As part of
Caesars' established leadership, it is a founding partner of the
Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) Employers
Alliance. BEST is the first public-private partnership in the
nation to work across industries to prevent commercial sexual
exploitation. Caesars Entertainment also participates in the
American Gaming Association Corporate Social Responsibility
Committee, which includes a focus on addressing human trafficking
in the gaming industry. Further, the company acknowledges the
potential for forced labor in supply chains, and its Responsible
Supplier Statement outlines reasonable expectations for the
responsible and ethical business practices of suppliers throughout
its supply chain.
About Caesars Entertainment Corporation
Caesars
Entertainment is the world's most diversified casino-entertainment
provider and the most geographically diverse U.S.
casino-entertainment company. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, in 1937, Caesars Entertainment
has grown through development of new resorts, expansions and
acquisitions and its portfolio of subsidiaries now operate 47
casinos in 13 U.S. states and five countries. Caesars
Entertainment's resorts operate primarily under the
Caesars®, Harrah's® and Horseshoe®
brand names. Caesars Entertainment's portfolio also includes the
Caesars Entertainment UK family of casinos. Caesars Entertainment
is focused on building loyalty and value with its guests through a
unique combination of great service, excellent products,
unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology
leadership. Caesars Entertainment is committed to its employees,
suppliers, communities and the environment through its PEOPLE
PLANET PLAY framework. For more information, please visit
www.caesars.com.
About ECPAT-USA
ECPAT-USA is the leading anti-child trafficking
policy organization in the United
States seeking to end the commercial, sexual exploitation of
children through awareness, advocacy, policy, and legislation.
ECPAT-USA is a member of ECPAT
International, a network of organizations in more than 90 countries
with one common mission: to eliminate the sexual exploitation of
children. For more information, visit ecpatusa.org.
About The Code
The Tourism Child-Protection Code of
Conduct, known as The Code, is the world's first and only voluntary
set of business principles that travel companies can implement to
prevent child trafficking. The Code provides awareness, tools, and
support to travel companies, with the aim of creating a highly
aware and well-trained tourism industry that can recognize and
prevent potential abuse. Since its launch in 2004, more than 40 US
companies have joined The Code, including some of the world's most
notable airlines, hotels, and travel management companies. To learn
more, visit ecpatusa.org/Code.
About the International Tourism Partnership
The
International Tourism Partnership drives responsible business in
the hospitality industry by engaging with the world's leading hotel
companies, which collectively manage 35,000 hotels. ITP's members
are Caesars Entertainment, Deutsche Hospitality, Four Seasons
Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Hyatt, Indian Hotels Company Ltd,
InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International, NH Hotel
Group, Radisson Hotel Group, Scandic Hotels, Soneva, Whitbread
and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. ITP is an initiative of Business in
the Community. BITC is the Prince of Wales' Responsible Business
Network. For more information on ITP and our programs visit
http://tourismpartnership.org/.
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