Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is an organization committed to its mission of educating, equipping, empowering, and mobilizing members of the trucking, bus, and energy industries to combat human trafficking. As truck drivers play a vital role in identifying human trafficking situations, being educated on the issue of human trafficking is essential in the fight to end this epidemic.
It is estimated that there are more than 40 million victims in the world today. From forced labor to sex trafficking, this is a modern-day slavery affecting individuals of all ages.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention month - read the information below to better understand what it is, how to identify it, and action steps to join in the fight against trafficking.
What is Trafficking?
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel some type of labor or commercial sex act. Many of the victims targeted are highly susceptible because of language, economic, or cultural barriers that keep them from getting help; one in every four victims is a child. The industry generates approximately $150 billion annually.
Identifying Victims
Trafficking often occurs at truck stops across the United States. With their remote, yet high-traffic locations, it is possible for traffickers to pose as other businesses. Traffickers often try to exploit the trucking industry by transporting victims across the country. For that reason, it is essential for truck drivers to report to local law enforcement when they see something suspicious.
Truckers Against Trafficking
TAT provides resources on how to receive training to disrupt human trafficking. Resources include a wide variety of facts about the problem, and a podcast to listen to at any time. The TAT website is a great tool to gain more information and help aid you in this fight.
TAT by the Numbers
- 975,643 truck drivers registered as TAT trained
- 2,625 calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline by truck drivers
- 1,278 victims identified because of truck drivers' efforts
Call to Action
- Click here to go to the Truckers Against Trafficking website and learn more about what you can do to fight human trafficking.
- If you think you have identified someone as a human trafficking victim call 911 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1.888.373.7888.
Sources: truckersagainttrafficking.org, acf.hhs.gov
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