Malouf Foundation Releases New Training Module Through OnWatch Platform

February 17, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

“Due to COVID-19, we weren't able to host Forging Freedom at Las Vegas Market this year,” said Jake Neeley, executive director, Malouf Foundation. “However, experts have reported increased trafficking crisis situations during the pandemic, so we’ve dedicated extra resources to build our OnWatch training. In the home furnishings industry, we have an opportunity to interact with people and make a difference in their lives.”

The new module is based on the true story of Utah trafficking survivor Julie Whitehead, who was trafficked for five months in multiple U.S. states, out of the country, and even in her own home. As she was trafficked, people saw and sometimes interacted with Whitehead at gas stations, truck stops, restaurants, and motels—but no one questioned the relationship with her trafficker.    

“My trafficker found me at a vulnerable time in my life. I was going through a terrible divorce and my world was turned upside down,” Whitehead shared. “At first, he was kind and supportive. He led me to believe that he was my friend, that I could trust him. But really, he was manipulating me.”  

In many trafficking cases, victims do not leave at the first signs of abuse. Oftentimes, this is because traffickers use a series of manipulative tactics, such as blackmail, to control their victims and prevent them from leaving. Whitehead was finally able to escape her trafficker with another person’s help.

“When listening to Julie’s story, we’re reminded that anyone can be a victim of trafficking, and it takes just one person to save someone else’s life. It all starts with educating ourselves,” Neeley said. “We invite everyone to commit to this cause—and to survivors. Commit that you’ll be the person to do something when you see something that doesn’t look right.”

Whitehead serves on an advisory board for the Malouf Foundation and created the OnWatch training alongside other survivors with a range of socioeconomic backgrounds and trafficking circumstances. Whitehead also consulted on the filming of her module which was produced in-house by Malouf’s award-winning video team.

“It was empowering to share my story through OnWatch. I felt like I used what happened to me, as awful as it was, for a good purpose,” Whitehead shared. “I regained control of my story and purposefully told it in a way that’s honest and vulnerable to create awareness and give insight on how to help someone else.”  

The core OnWatch curriculum consists of 10 modules and takes one hour to complete. Businesses can get involved by becoming a certified OnWatch Advocate. When 90 percent of employees complete the OnWatch training, businesses receive a one-year certification badge and marketing materials to share on their platforms.