Flight Attendant Shares Story of Saving Trafficking Victim - FreedomUnited.org

Flight Attendant Shares Story of Saving Trafficking Victim

  • Published on
    February 14, 2017
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Anti-Slavery Activists, Human Trafficking, Rehabilitation & Liberation, Survivor Stories
Hero Banner

When flight attendant Shelia Fedrick saw an untidy girl sitting beside an older, well-dressed man on one of her flight, she was disturbed.

She said that the teenager looked like she had been through pure hell, and the man would not let her speak to the girl.

The attendant left a note for the girl in the plane’s toilet asking is she needed help. It was learned that the girl was a victim of human trafficking.  Fedrick’s alertness helped to save her.

The pilot informed the police, and they were waiting when the plane landed.

The 2011 incident on Alaska Airlines was reported in US media this week, as charity Airline Ambassadors seeks to train airline staff in ways to combat human trafficking. Airline Ambassadors’ website says a trafficking victim may appear afraid of uniformed security, unsure of their destination and nervous. They may also provide scripted answers, and be wearing clothing unsuitable for their destination. Traffickers, meanwhile, might answer questions for the victim, observe the victim persistently, and may not know their name or personal information, Airline Ambassadors added.

Nancy Rivard is founder of the Airline Ambassadors:  “We tell people not to try to rescue because you can endanger the victim and yourself.”  They teach attendants to get the pilot to radio the airport.

In Ms. Fedrick’s case, she managed to communicate discreetly with the girl after whispering to her to go to the plane toilet. She left a note on the mirror for the teenager, who “wrote on the note she needed help,” The girl is now attending college, and has stayed in touch with Fedrick.

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

E.U. market will be tainted with forced labor without strong legislation

A report published on December 6 commissioned by a group of E.U. lawmakers warns that “a substantial volume of apparel tainted by Uyghur forced labor is moving into the E.U. without restriction.” The report indicates how E.U. policy does not do enough to weed out forced labor from large supply chains and, therefore, does not protect consumers from buying products made with Uyghur forced labor, according to The Guardian. Implication by state-sponsored

| Wednesday December 6, 2023

Read more