Truckers Against Trafficking: Working With Law Enforcement

Human trafficking continues to be a major concern concern in the United States and around the world. Everyone from the President on down to local law enforcement has recognized the horrors of trafficking. Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) has been holding training sessions across the country to teach commercial drivers to notice the red flags and how to notify police of possible instances of human trafficking.

Truckers Against Trafficking

Truckers Against Trafficking launched in 2009 as a non-profit organization based out of Oklahoma. Since its formation, TAT has partnered with major fleets and other companies involved with the trucking industry to provide training throughout the United States. As of 2018, Truckers Against Trafficking has trained over 500,000 drivers, and has brought almost 600 possible cases of human trafficking to the proper authorities. Most recently, TAT has trained classes in Minnesota and Tennessee, with more cities and states being added every month. In the past nine years, Truckers against trafficking has identified over 1,000 trafficking victims, roughly a third of which were minors.

Frightening Statistics

It is estimated that over 40 million slaves exist around the world. Human trafficking plays a big part in forcibly transporting people for illegal labor or worse. As much as we would like to think this sort of thing doesn’t happen here, there are human trafficking rings operating in the United States, or facilitating the transportation of both adults and children across borders and even to major ports along the coast. To date, not a single state in the U.S. has not gone without reporting human trafficking on some level. Traffickers recruit people online, at schools, and malls, or flat out abduct people off the streets, at rest areas, and at motels.

Truckers Are Leading The Way

Fleet divers and independent owner operators have both joined in the fight against human trafficking. TAT understands that truck drivers are in a position to notice unusual and potentially criminal behavior while they are on the road or stopped for the night. Truckers Against Trafficking works to identify potential cases of human trafficking and help close loopholes to eradicate the problem at home and abroad.

If you have questions about Truckers Against Trafficking or want to become certified, visit the official TAT site here.