Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed into law landmark legislation this week on human trafficking. The new laws increase penalties for offenders and increase resources for victims. It’s estimated 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders and 100,000 to 300,000 domestic minors are forced into sexually slavery within the U.S. annually.

On hand for a news conference that drew a large media contingent to Washington’s Dulles International Airport was Broadhead’s newest pro bono client, Airline Ambassadors International, a major force behind the legislation.

The organization started in 1996 with just a small group of airline personnel using their travel benefits to help children. To date, they’ve hand delivered more than $50 million in aid to children and families in 52 countries. Since 2009, they’ve really focused on the human trafficking issue, educating airline personnel, hotels, etc on what to look for and how to protect children. It’s a domestic and international issue. They’ve made several high profile “rescues” in the past two years and have testified before Congress on the issue a number of times. They’ve also constructed several safe houses in Haiti since the earthquake for victims of sex trafficking.

Airline Ambassadors International was referred to Broadhead by Virginia Delegate Adam Ebbin, a longtime friend of our DC colleague Tom DiBacco. Ebbin sponsored the piece of the legislation that coordinates state agencies in Virginia and non-profits in delivering health, housing, education, and legal services to victims of human trafficking.

Broadhead will be working with the organization to create a new look and feel for their marketing and advertising materials. In September, the group will be participating in a United Nations conference in which they will be joined by the First Lady of the Dominican Republic in launching a Global Human Trafficking Portal.