An estimated 40 million people are living in slavery around the world. Some of those victims are being bought and sold for labor. Most have been forced into sexual slavery. Human trafficking has a significant presence in all 50 states. It exists in major cities, small towns, and along the nation’s highways. Because professional truck drivers spend much of their careers on the road and around service areas, they are uniquely situated to identify and assist in the recovery of human trafficking victims. Will you help?
Take and promote training courses.
As an individual, you can join Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT)—the industry leader in certifying truck drivers to recognize and recover human trafficking victims. They offer a free online training course that will give you all the tools you need to save lives. But don’t stop there. Contact HR at your trucking company and encourage them to make TAT training mandatory for all drivers. When you talk to other professionals at service areas, discuss TAT training and encourage them to sign up for it.
Recognize the common signs of human trafficking.
Human trafficking victims can be male or female, young or older. Victims of human trafficking often display physical abnormalities, such as:
- Malnourishment/underweight
- Signs of physical abuse, restraint, or confinement
- Signs of drug abuse
- Tattoo/brand on back of the neck
They may display:
- Loss of sense of time
- Confusion about the location they’re in
- Inability to provide an address
- Claims of just passing through the area
- Inconsistencies in story
These are just a few of the red flags. Get TAT trained to become better aware.
Report possible human trafficking victims.
Use the National Human Trafficking Hotline to report any suspicious behavior. Keep this number programmed into your phone: 1-888-373-7888. Even if you aren’t sure whether something could indicate human trafficking, it’s far better to err on the side of caution and report it right away. You could be saving someone’s life.
Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss prides itself on graduating fully qualified, ethically-minded truck drivers. Many of our students are veterans or military spouses. If you’re ready to transition into another career where you can make a difference in your community, you’re invited to call our truck driving school at (877) 206-8344.
