Around the world, human trafficking continues to run rampant; 20.9 million individuals are enslaved internationally, and the number is in the hundreds of thousands in the United States. This horrifying industry, made up mostly of women and children, is more lucrative than ever for the criminals who traffic people, and they abduct and recruit their victims online, at schools, on streets, you name it – they find a way. Many of these slaves are trafficked on streets, at truck stops, in restaurants, and in and out of homes. Luckily, there is a group full of watchful eyes willing to fight the battle taking place on our streets.

 

Truckers Against Trafficking is a non-profit organization that seeks to educate members of the trucking and travel plaza industries to combat sex trafficking on the front lines. Once they are educated, these individuals are equipped and empowered to take their newfound awareness to the highways and partner with law enforcement to ensure that as many victims as possible are recovered. Truckers Against Trafficking ensures that the trucking industry and related areas are saturated with materials related to their organization so that anyone can join in the fight, and utilizes the resources of law enforcement and their partners to thoroughly investigate these crimes and rescue victims. They also document industry movement and legislative victories on their website, and offer a safe place for members of TAT to share their experiences.

 

TAT is sponsored by well-known, respected corporations like Volvo, UPS, Bridgestone, and Ryder, among a slew of others, and partners with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to bring as many survivors home as they can. Any driver can become certified through their program so that they learn to recognize the traits of this heinous crime and prevent it from continuing to spread. The incredible impact that TAT continues to have on this appaulling industry has set an example for other non-profits fighting the same battle. While many organizations are making strides on the policy side of things, TAT’s foot soldiers – or wheel soldiers, rather – on the ground are more crucial than ever. For more information, visit the Truckers Against Trafficking website, and if you suspect trafficking may be occurring, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.