Help us educate society through media...

The 411 Live Podcast (S2) – EP 15 Hotel Sex Trafficking and the COVID-19 Virus

YouTube player

If you are a new listener to The 411 Live Podcast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our contact page if you have questionstopic ideas, questions about videos, podcasts, blogs, or feedback just let us know.

In this episode of The 411 Live, we’re joined by Trisha Pugal, the CEO of the Wisconsin Hotel Lodging Association.

Hotels and motels can be especially attractive locations for all forms of trafficking but human trafficking also occurs at sporting events, theme parks, cruise ships, and many other areas in the tourism industry.  Hotels and motels are common venues for sex trafficking because of the easy access for buyers and the ability to maintain secrecy by paying with cash. Not to mention the lack of facility maintenance and upkeep expenses.  Traffickers often take advantage of privacy through the hospitality industry.  But today there are not many hotels and motels open because of another problem that’s affecting the entire hospitality industry. That is the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a worldwide issue that we all need to do our part in keeping ourselves and each other safe.

Today we’re going to talk about how some hotels are training their staff to handle sex trafficking victims and the impact of the COVID-19 Virus on the hotel industry.

Link to the current number of cases for COVID-19 in Milwaukee County – Milwaukee County COVID-19 Dashboard  (Data currently is refreshed daily at 7:30am and 2:30pm)

Contact Info

Trisha A. Pugal, CAE – Interim CEO
1025 S. Moorland Road Suite 200
Brookfield, WI 53005
(262) 782-2851 ext. 10
Website: wisconsinlodging.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Our favorite part of this podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media, and in our comments section.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

 “Trafficked” More Than Just A Story Healing Series

Our current project is the “Trafficked” More Than Just A Story Healing Series. Production costs for this project are well over $300,000, and we are asking for your assistance. Donations will go towards The 411 Live “Trafficked” More Than Just A Story Healing Series and to continue The “I Dare You To Heal Movement” that helps support survivors through their journey of healing focusing on human trafficking and other traumatic experiences.

You can make a one-time donation or we have a variety of sponsorship opportunities available. Your financial support is critical to the success of this project. All contributions made to The 411 Live are tax-deductible to the extent permissible by law.

Click Here to Donate

Click Here to Subscribe to Our Newsletter and Stay in Touch

SHARE THIS POST

Inspiring Change & Improving Lives Through Media!

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
FEATURED PODCASTS

MEET THE TEAM

BEVERLY TAYLOR, HOST

Beverly Taylor is a prober, listener and talker. She utilized all those skills as an anchor and reporter at WITI-TV (Fox 6 News). During her 21 years there, Beverly became a very recognized face in southeast Wisconsin. The most rewarding aspect of the job for her was telling stories that make a positive difference in people’s lives and stories that bring awareness. That included multiple stories about sex trafficking, which makes this podcast about the subject a logical fit.

For her efforts, Beverly has received a lot in return. She’s met people in different stages of life: during their most joyous times, their most vulnerable times, and their most painful times. These people have given Beverly tremendous examples of courage, generosity and determination.

Beverly has received many honors for her reporting, including three EMMY nominations. The University of Tennessee graduate also has a Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution from Marquette University. She left TV news in December of 2019. Resolving conflict is another way she hopes to make a positive difference in the lives of others. She is a video production contractor, voice-over artist and podcaster.

Putting God first is a constant aim for Beverly. She is a member of New Testament Church of Milwaukee, and loves hanging out with her husband Julian and son, Nate.

Lashondra Scott, Producer/Senior Editor

LaShondra Scott is a visionary leader on a mission to change the conditions, mindsets and attitudes of community residents through transformative and mission-driven films, television shows and new media.

LaShondra, a production executive for over 15 years, has produced and directed television programing, documentaries, video and radio content that has been broadcasted on a variety of outlets including, MPTV, radio 1290 WMCS and cable outlets. Scott, President and CEO of Neo Soul Productions also creates inspiring videos for business, organizations and non-profits.

LaShondra’s keen interest in her community and an intense desire to change the conditions so many of her fellow citizens experience, help her focus her eye on films that make a difference. With God’s guidance, she seeks to completely transform the mindsets and attitudes of individuals as wells as provide a sense of direction and purpose for all who share her vision.

“Always live life with a purpose” is Lashondra’s motto. She strives to make at least one person smile everyday because, as she says, “You never know what that person is going through, and making them smile could change their mood and make life just a little better.”

At an early age, Lashondra saw her life through the lens of a camera. She was 16 when she decided that television/video production would be her vocation. With that in mind, she attended Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) and earned an Associate’s Degree in Television/Video Production. She then earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch University in Glendale, WI.

She is on the programming committee of the Milwaukee Film Makers Alliance and is part of the Human Trafficking Taskforce of Milwaukee and Sojourner’s Family Peace Center’s human trafficking task force.