January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about human trafficking, which is also known as modern slavery, and educating people about this crime and how to spot it.
It is estimated that there are over 40 million human trafficking victims around the world. In the US, there are hundreds of thousands of victims in all 50 states. While this business is illegal, it’s prevalent nearly everywhere like in schools, malls, restaurants, hotels, and truck stops.
While on the road, truck drivers are on the frontlines of this global epidemic. With knowing that human trafficking and truck driving share a lot of common destinations, truck drivers can play a crucial role in stopping this crime. Here are some tips on what signs to look for and what to do if you need to report a human trafficking case.
What To Look For from Truckers Against Trafficking
When you’re loading or unloading, fueling, or taking a break from the driving, these are some signs out for…
- The suspicion that a minor is working under someone else’s control to make a quota. Victims are primarily women and children.
- Lack of knowledge of their whereabouts — not in control of ID/passport.
- Restricted or controlled communication — not allowed to speak for self.
- CB chatter about “commercial company” or flashing lights signaling “buyer” location.
- A van or RV that seems out of place out by trucks; a vehicle dropping someone off at a truck and picking them up 15-20 minutes later.
What To Do If You Suspect Human Trafficking from Truckers Against Trafficking
If you have recognized and identified the signs of human trafficking, please follow these steps immediately…
- Don’t approach traffickers, allow law enforcement to deal with traffickers.
- If you witness a crime in progress, call 911.
- If you have reasonable suspicion, make an anonymous call to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. This hotline is staffed 24/7 with trained operators who can also alert law enforcement. This hotline alone has been used by over 1,830 truck drivers who have reported human trafficking incidents.
- Notify the truck stop manager (or the location at which this is taking place).
Closing Thoughts
Life on the road can get monotonous, but it’s important to not turn a blind eye when dealing with things of this nature. Knowing the signs of what to look for and how to respond to a human trafficking case can save someone’s life.
At Liquid Trucking, we’re fortunate to have the platform to be able to share this knowledge with our own drivers and with those we share the road with. To learn more about our company and what we do, please call 844-GO-TANKS.
Resources:
Truckers Against Trafficking, Truckers Against Trafficking.
How Truckers Can Stop Human Trafficking, American Trucker