Dozens of hotel representatives and local civic leaders on Oct. 18 discussed solutions as to how hotel and motel employees can improve sex and labor trafficking prevention during a meeting at Courtyard Marriott Hotel-College Station.

Texas Hotel/Lodging Association spokeswoman and presenter Carolyn McCall-Squires that employees are the ones who notice sex traffickers in their hotel or motels before the authorities do, and pleaded that it is their responsibility to “stop this from happening.”

McCall-Squires also utilized training materials and showed a video featuring interviews with law enforcement professionals, rehabilitated sex workers and sex trafficking victims, all describing the practice's brutalities and how it can happen to anyone.

She also advised hotel workers to be aware of many sex trafficking warning signs, including someone acting abusive or displaying an excess control over another person, someone checking in using cash with very few or no belongings, or a heavy activity of people entering or exiting a room.

Cleaning staff should also mention if they find large amounts of contraceptives, towels, room keys and cellphones in a room. Any employee who suspects a sex trafficking act should not confront any pimps or controllers directly but contact authorities immediately.

College Station assistant police chief Brandy Norris also spoke on how anyone who notices potential sex trafficking activity is required by law to report it within 48 hours.