RIMScast by The Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.

February 09, 2021 Human Trafficking and Supply Chain Risk with Tim Nelson of the Slave-Free Alliance

Welcome to RIMScast. Your host is Justin Smulison, Business Content Manager at RIMS, the Risk and Insurance Management Society.

Today’s guest is Tim Nelson, the International Development Director for Slave-Free Alliance and Hope for Justice. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, but although the month has passed, it still does not mean the fight to end slavery is done.

In this episode, Tim talks about how human trafficking and slavery is a huge risk to company supply chains and businesses. Many people do not know what’s under their hood when it comes to the workers they hire. It is in the interest of everyone that you vet your third-party hiring or recruitment companies, facilities, and more. Tim shares how companies and individuals can spot the tell-tale signs of a human trafficked victim, how Hope for Justice was formed, and much more.

Key Takeaways:

[:01] About RIMS’s Global Membership.

[:28] About today’s episode.

[:37] Current RIMS features, offerings, news, and events.

[1:05] More about today’s episode with Tim Nelson.

[1:45] Justin welcomes Tim to RIMScast!

[1:55] Tim shares a bit about his background and what he does for Hope for Justice and Slave-Free Alliance.

[4:10] Twenty-seven million people are held in slavery across the world and there is something you can do about this. We can end human trafficking in our lifetime.

[4:40] Not every business takes slavery seriously, but there is a shift happening in our culture.

[6:05] What makes a good or bad business? Do they have a protocol on what to do if they discover human trafficking happening in one of their factories?

[7:25] Most companies are not doing enough due diligence.

[8:50] What have governments been doing to respond/counter human trafficking?

[10:33] Tim breaks down his process on how a company can see if their facilities are employee- and ethnically-friendly.

[14:25] Some individuals are not even aware that they are a victim of slavery until you show them that their wages have been stolen/taken.

[15:05] One woman had been a slave in the United States for 33 years.

[18:15] How have human traffickers adapted to COVID-19?

[19:38] Individuals are sold for as little as $100–$200.

[21:40] Tim shares how Hope for Justice is expanding to help combat slavery throughout the U.S.

[22:45] Recently, 33 children were rescued in California. Do Tim and his NGO help with police investigations?

[26:05] Tim is faced with devastating stories on a regular basis; how does he emotionally cope while moving forward on this important work?

[27:45] Hope for Justice is disrupting serious organized crime with a lot of money on the line and members of staff have been put in danger because of it.

[29:25] Victims of slavery and human trafficking, unfortunately, return back to the very activities that made them victims (like prostitution). How can this be prevented?

[33:33] How do Tim and his co-workers blow off steam and have fun outside of work?

[35:45] You really do have the power to change the world.

[36:15] Tim shares some final words of wisdom to the risk management community.

[38:05] Justin thanks Tim Nelson for joining RIMScast and shares some of the links to check out in this episode’s show notes!

Mentioned in this Episode:

RIMS Webinars and Services:

Feb. 11th, 2021 | Sponsored by Travelers and Constitution State Services: “What COVID-19 Vaccines Mean for the Workplace in 2021” — Free for members and non-members!

Feb. 18th, 2021 | RIMS Board Governance Task Presents: “Boardroom Diversity in 2021” — This first session will be free for members and non-members!

Feb. 25, 2021 | Sponsored by Onspring: “Scaling Enterprise Risk Management in 2021 without Doubling Your Team”

March 4, 2021 | Sponsored by Resolver: “Using a Scenario Analysis to Help you Manage HR-related Risks”

March 11, 2021 | Sponsored by Riskonnect: “Using RMIS as a Springboard to Integrated Risk Management”

Upcoming RIMS Webinars

On-Demand Webinars

RIMS Risk Forum 2020 India — Register for On-Demand Content!

RIMS Advisory Services — Ask a Peer

RIMS Virtual Workshops

Resources about Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking:

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Hope For Justice

Slave-Free Alliance