As a Truck Driver, How Can I Help?

All fifty states have reported human trafficking, and many of the victims of human trafficking pass through truck stops every day. Organizations like Truckers Against Trafficking aim to equip and prepare truckers to identify potential signs of human trafficking and speak out against them. This nonprofit organization provides comprehensive training that can help empower and mobilize members of the trucking industry to identify signs of trafficking, including young females, children, and others who appear to be in distress. In addition, the organization works with truckers to help them learn how to provide aid to victims of human trafficking.

Truckers travel across the United States and enter truck stops and other areas that many people might not go, so they may have better opportunities to spot human trafficking victims and report suspicious activity. As a result, truck drivers across America have already prevented at least 708 human trafficking cases.

Red Flags and Signs of Human
Trafficking

There are several red flags that TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) recommends, including:

  • People who don’t seem to be aware of where they are.
    These individuals may not be in control of their IDs or passports, even when seeking lodging.
  • People who are not allowed to speak for themselves or
    look to someone else for consent before speaking. These individuals might be non-English speakers or those who seem very shy or cowed.
  • CB chatter includes things like “commercial
    companies.”
  • Unexpected flashing lights, which could signal the
    location of an interested “buyer.”
  • Acknowledgment of a “pimp,” making a quota, or talking
    about commercial sex.
  • A vehicle that is seemingly out of place by the rest of
    the trucks, often a van or RV
  • A vehicle that drops someone off at a truck then comes
    back within a short time–often as little as 15-20 minutes–to pick them up.

General indicators of human trafficking, described by the Department of Homeland Security, may include a child who has stopped attending school; a person who has shown a sudden, drastic behavior change; or someone who has frequent bruises in different stages of healing. A victim of sex trafficking or human trafficking may also appear timid and submissive, seemingly coached on what they can safely say.

Who are the
Victims?

Victims of human trafficking can be anyone, regardless of race, gender, country of origin, or age. However, some people are more vulnerable than others. In general, people who fit these categories are more likely to be victims of human trafficking.

  • Young people who may be more generally vulnerable or have a more
    challenging time speaking up for themselves
  • People who are already on the run. Often, people do not note when
    runaways disappear since they may already have dropped off the radar.
  • Homeless individuals who may not have set routines or who may not
    have a safe place
  • People who otherwise do not have access to the resources they need
    to protect themselves, including the ability to make a phone call or access to food and water. Sometimes, people end up involved in human trafficking as they seek better resources for themselves or their children, and they may feel pressured to remain because they do not think they have the resources to survive alone.

Identifying victims of human trafficking can prove problematic since they often fail to fit any specifically expected profile. However, the TAT’s above guidelines are a good starting point.

Labor Trafficking

Traffickers force victims of labor trafficking to engage in specific types of labor, often in unsafe conditions and for little or no pay. They may not be allowed to speak to people outside their unit, including those who appear to hire them. Often, victims of labor trafficking work on worksites providing lodging, and they may not be permitted to leave those work sites. They may be in poor physical health, including obvious malnourishment or an apparent lack of medical care.

Victims of labor trafficking may mention that they regularly work long hours, that they have fees deducted from their paychecks for housing, food, and equipment, or that someone else is holding their identification documents, including their passport or driver’s license. Victims of labor trafficking may feel fearful of their employers and admit that they cannot leave. Often, they engage in dangerous work that no one else wants to perform for insufficient pay. They may even seem reluctant to approach you at all, even if you offer up friendly conversation and interaction.

Labor trafficking is a common reason for many types of human trafficking and may cause just as much harm to its victims as other types of human trafficking, including sex trafficking. Many people die or suffer immense health complications due to the hard labor and lack of appropriate medical care and treatment expected of these individuals.

How to Report Human Trafficking if You Think You See It

If you see signs of human trafficking, you should never try to deal with it independently. Instead, report it by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373-7888. A single phone call can go a long way toward creating significant change for the victims of human trafficking. You can also visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline website to learn more about reporting signs of human trafficking at truck stops across the United States.

Try to collect what information you can about human traffickers, from their vehicle to their appearance. Do not, however, approach traffickers directly. You should not engage in commercial sex acts or other behaviors that could place you in danger, even to gather more information.

https://www.lanierlawfirm.com/trucking-and-human-trafficking/