about what your unique contribution to the field can be . Maybe you had this idea in the back of your mind that you haven ’ t heard anyone else talking about . Maybe there is a type of case you have handled again and again , and you ’ ve become the resident expert on that typology . Or you ’ ve come up with a unique solution you ’ ve found to a common problem . Whatever it is , be clear on your concept . Next , while I won ’ t literally advise you to “ write drunk , edit sober ,” I will tell you not to hold back on your first draft . Just focus on getting your ideas on paper and go back to clean them up later . For me , the hardest part is always the editing phase . I think it was Mark Twain who said , “ I didn ’ t have time to write a short letter , so I wrote a long one instead .” I was lucky on this series of articles that I had Chris to keep me in check because if it were up to me , I would have written a tome . Ultimately , I think our articles are powerful because they are so highly digestible . Your end result should be something someone will actually read , and let ’ s be honest , we ’ re all busy . The more concise the article , the more likely people will read it .
AT : How did you become involved in the fight against HT ?
CB : My first real-world exposure to HT came approximately 10 years ago while I was in banking . We would routinely identify potential sex trafficking using prepaid payroll cards . In fact , the most common risk we reported through our prepaid payroll card portfolio was HT . It was during this time that we engaged with Polaris , where I met Sara . Our teams worked closely , sharing the new and emerging HT risks . Our efforts were rewarding and motivating . I was determined to continue finding a way to do more . Since then , Sara and so many others , including Aaron Kahler of the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative and Silvija Krupena of RedCompass Labs , have inspired and supported my efforts to play a role in tackling this abhorrent crime .
SC : My start in the anti-trafficking field is not a particularly noble story . In all honesty , I finished grad school at the height of the recession and needed a job . I started casting my net wider and wider in my job hunt . One day , I found a part-time role working on the National Human Trafficking Hotline operated by Polaris . I ’ ve always been a good listener ― I am always that person with whom people feel comfortable confiding . I remember having a moment of clarity during which I thought , “ I think I could be good at this , and maybe I could help some people while I look for my ‘ real job ’.” I started working overnight and weekend shifts . Honestly , the hours were so grueling and the subject matter was so intense . I ’ d finish a 10-hour adrenaline-filled shift of talking to people during the worst moments of their lives at 8 a . m . and have to be back for another shift at 2 p . m . that same day . But the work was also so compelling ― I couldn ’ t walk away . One thing led to another and instead of it being a part-time gig for a year while I found my career , it became my career , and I spent 12 years in different roles at Polaris .
AT : What would you recommend for professionals looking to get more involved in anti-HT efforts ?
CB : One piece of advice I live by , although I know it isn ’ t always the easiest for everyone , is to just ask . You will not hear the word “ no ” from anyone who has dedicated their career or has any involvement in the anti-HT space . If the individual can ’ t directly help you , they will point you in the right direction . There are so many ways to get involved , so be open to opportunities presented to you . My journey has taken me down many paths I didn ’ t expect , leading to several opportunities and interactions with amazing individuals . We each play a part , no matter how big or small , in tackling HT . I implore everyone to find their role .
SC : First , I would ask everyone to make sure they read all three articles in our series . We worked hard to distill broadly key information about HT , sex trafficking 3 and labor trafficking 4 down into a digestible format and after 12 years of focus on this topic , I can tell you this is really the key information you need to know to get started . Secondly , think about where you can contribute right now . No one person is going to be able to solve this incredibly complex issue , but everyone can do something to move the ball forward . Share these articles with your team and ask your colleagues if anyone would like to discuss them with you . Create an HT-specific data mining project at work . Visit globalmodernslavery . org to find anti-trafficking organizations in your area and see if they have volunteer opportunities .
Interviewed by : ACAMS Today editorial , ACAMS , editor @ acams . org
1
Chris Bagnall and Sara Crowe , “ Understanding Human Trafficking ,” ACAMS Today , April 19 , 2022 , https :// www . acamstoday . org / understanding-human-trafficking /
2
Chris Bagnall , “ Exam-Ready AML and Sanctions Programs ,” ACAMS Today , March 30 , 2021 , https :// www . acamstoday . org / exam-ready-aml-and-sanctions-programs /
3
Chris Bagnall and Sara Crowe , “ Understanding and Identifying Sex Trafficking ,” ACAMS Today , May 20 , 2022 , https :// www . acamstoday . org / understanding-and-identifying-sex-trafficking /
4
Chris Bagall and Sara Crowe , “ Understanding and Identifying Labor Trafficking ,” ACAMS Today , July 29 , 2022 , https :// www . acamstoday . org / understanding-and-identifying-labor-trafficking /
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