Annually, there are 17,500 people who are being trafficked in the United States. Meanwhile, just this last year, there were 5,147 cases of human trafficking reported. Approximately, 2,250 of those reports were made by truck drivers! With these shocking statistics, it’s easy to see why law enforcement officials in America are having a hard time squashing the trafficking epidemic.
In lieu of the end of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, it is important to get the word out about human trafficking in the trucking industry! Therefore, our TransWood team has a list of things every trucker should know about human trafficking.
How do you know if someone is being trafficked?
Truck stops are one of the most popular places for human traffickers to pass through, this is why it’s important that everyone from truckers to staff be on the lookout. It could be something as simple as; signs of physical abuse, odd behaviors or provocative clothing. The best place to start is by paying close attention to these signs to help you determine if human trafficking is going on.
Some signs of human trafficking are:
- Exhibits odd behaviors, such as, anxiety, submission or paranoia
- Shows signs of malnourishment
- Is being controlled verbally, physically or emotionally by a third party
However, if you are not sure if this person fits the criteria, don’t worry!
Another way to tell if someone is being trafficked is through interaction. Ask yourself: “Is there a third party member who seems to be constantly present for the conversation or speaking for the person?” “Does this person seem to be confused about where they are?” If so, this may be an indicator that something may be wrong.
Ultimately, the best way to decide if there is a human trafficking problem is to trust your instincts and remember your basic training!
Who should I contact about human trafficking?
In the event, that you are put in the position of reporting a human trafficking experience, it is always important to report it A.S.A.P! The sooner you report it; the sooner that person can be helped by the proper professionals.
Specifically, the National Human Trafficking Hotline is one of the best resource to contact when you have witnessed human trafficking events. Take your pick! You’re only a quick phone call, text or live chat away from saving a person from being trafficked. However, if you are unable to use either of these options, you can always fill out a report online. But, please know that online reports take longer to process.
However, in the event that someone is in immediate danger, please call 911 before you report to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Some other places you could contact are:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security: 1-866-347-2423
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tip Line: 1-802-872-6199
- Submit a tip online to the FBI or call your local FBI office.
Although human trafficking is growing in numbers every year, truck driver organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) are making a difference. No matter how small the impact, these 18 wheeler drivers are getting involved and saving lives of women, men and children in the cruel world of human trafficking. In fact, 680,153 truck drivers are now TAT trained!
All in all, TransWood is sharing this trucking industry news to encourage more truck drivers to get involved in the fight against human trafficking.
TransWood is committed to protecting the health, safety and security of our employees and independent contractors while minimizing the impact of our operations on the public and the environment where we operate. Our mission is to achieve excellence through superior systems, training, and dedication which ensures TransWood will provide a level of disciplined quality service to exceed our customers’ expectations. Contact TransWood so we can start serving your hauling freight needs.
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