Prevent Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to control their victims. Any minor engaged in commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking.
Because trafficking occurs at truck stops, restaurants and rest areas, truckers often notice it before others do. As the eyes and ears of our nation’s highways, truckers can watch for trafficking and help report and prevent it.
Trafficking Red Flags to Look For:
- A person’s lack of knowledge about their community or whereabouts
- Not in control of their own identification documents (ID/passport)
- Restricted or controlled communication; not allowed to speak for self
- Strange demeanor: fear, anxiety, depression, submissive, tense, nervous
Questions to Ask:
- Are you being paid?
- Are you being watched or followed?
- Are you free to leave? Can you come and go as you please?
- Are you physically or sexually abused?
- Are you or your family threatened? What is the nature of these threats?
Things to Note to File a Tip:
For law enforcement to open an investigation on your tip, they need “actionable information.” Specific tips helpful when reporting to the hotline would include:
- Descriptions of cars (make, model, color, license plate number, etc.). Take a photo if you can.
- Descriptions of people (height, weight, hair color, age, etc.). Take a photo if you can.
- Specific times and dates (When did you see the event in question take place? What day was it?)
- Addresses and locations where suspicious activity took place
If you see a minor working or suspect pimp control, call the National Hotline and report your tip: 1-888-3737-888 (US) or 1-800-222-TIPS (Canada). You can also email Report@PolarisProject.org.
Please do not approach traffickers. Call the hotline, and they will call the FBI and local police to help victims. Approaching traffickers is not only potentially dangerous; it could lead to problems in the eventual prosecution of traffickers.
For more information, visit www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.
