In the news: We recently learned about a valuable organization we wanted our customers, many of whom are involved with the trucking industry, to learn more about.
Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) is a nonprofit organization that trains truck drivers to recognize and report instances of human trafficking. This national organization, formed in Oklahoma, in 2009, teaches truck drivers about the results of human trafficking.
Why it matters:
- To date, 1,510,474 industry professionals are TAT Trained.
- TAT produces anti-trafficking materials, which are seen throughout the trucking industry.
- They have teamed up with law enforcement agencies and trucking companies to provide training on identifying sex trafficking, and some companies require their drivers to go through it.
- Through their efforts, they have freed hundreds of human trafficking victims.
- According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, most truck drivers who report tips learned about them through TAT.
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline (NHTH) reports that in the last five years, over 41% of the cases, truckers have reported to them involve victims that are minors.
- TAT is building coalitions between general managers of truck stops/travel plazas and law enforcement that investigate trafficking cases on their lots to close loopholes to traffickers who exploit industry businesses for criminal gain and to mobilize a local response.
- The Freedom Drivers Project, a unique, 48-foot mobile exhibit and museum, showcases information/training on domestic sex trafficking, the artifacts and stories of survivors, and the actions of the trucking industry to fight this crime. Over 57,344 people walked through its doors at over 252 events in 47 states and provinces.
Go Deeper: Visit the Truckers Against Trafficking website.