Traveling This Summer? Be Aware of the Signs of Human Trafficking
The unofficial start of summer is here, and that means around 200 million travelers on our roadways during the season.[i] It also means more opportunities for all road users in both commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and passenger cars to help stop human trafficking. It is important that we all keep human trafficking indicators top of mind, understand the signs to look for, and know what actions to take.
Human trafficking can happen anywhere. The crime doesn’t always require a border crossing or act of movement. Traffickers often take advantage of America’s transportation hubs such as bus stations, truck stops, and travel centers, to exploit victims and hide them in plain sight.
As an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation whose primary mission is to enhance road safety, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) aims to help prevent human trafficking — a crime that poses a threat to road safety in every state and territory across the U.S.
What You Can Do
FMCSA’s “Your Roads, Their Freedom” national campaign raises awareness about human trafficking by sharing information all travelers can use to help identify and report suspected human trafficking, especially during busy travel months.
Check out these useful resources before your next trip:
- Indicators of Human Trafficking
- Human Trafficking Myths and Misconceptions
- Strengthening Language Access for Survivors of Human Trafficking
In addition to complementing the work our organization is doing to stop human trafficking, the “Your Roads, Their Freedom” campaign also supports the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative and other federal efforts against human trafficking, such as FMCSA’s grant programs, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, to build on the important work that is already being done in this space.
(Note: Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker or alert a victim to your suspicions. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or local authorities. You can report suspected human trafficking by calling the toll-free, 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1 (888) 373–7888 or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233722.)
[i] https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/travelers-plan-to-drive-this-summer-survey
