BE-SAFER NEWS

Make the Call, Save Lives

Article by www.besafer.ca

This is an awareness initiative that provides commercial drivers with the basic information they need to identify suspected cases of human trafficking and alert law enforcement. Professional drivers can be the first line of defense against this heinous crime.

Most people are quite shocked to learn that human trafficking is still happening, especially that it's happening in North America. They think that human trafficking is happening only in underdeveloped countries, but no, unfortunately human trafficking has been reported in United States (all 50 states), and right here in Canada (all provinces and territories).

Commercial drivers can become effective front-line responders in the war against human trafficking. You are are in a unique position to notice human trafficking activity because you are traveling the same roads and highways that traffickers do. You can make a valuable contribution to combating human trafficking and be part of the solution to a devastating problem of this terrible modern-day slavery.

According to International Labour Organization (ILO) almost 21 million people are victims of human trafficking – 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys. They are bought and sold for forced labor or commercial sex. A large percentage of the victims trafficked are women and children and many of them are used in the sex industry.

Human Trafficking is a serious problem in North America!

You might be surprised to learn that human trafficking is a serious problem in North America, with children, women and men - American and Canadian citizens, permanent residents, new immigrants and refugees – being bought and sold every day and usually forced into unpaid labour or work in the sex trade.

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) - TAT is a non-profit organization, formed in United States in 2009, that exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize the trucking industry to fight human trafficking. The trucking industry gained global recognition when TAT was included in the United Nation’s 100 Best Practices list to combat human trafficking. Truckers against Trafficking has had measurable success. Victims have been recovered and now tell their stories of survival as a part of the TAT training process. TAT is saving lives, become a part of the great team! Click here to read and learn more...

Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) Training Video - This training video will educate and equip you to understand the issue of human trafficking and how a member of the trucking industry, like yourself, can play a vital role in combatting this crime and, more importantly, empower you to take the steps necessary that could end up saving a life. Click here for training video...

PACT-Ottawa - PACT-Ottawa is Ottawa based anti-human trafficking organization named PACT (Persons Against the Crime of Human Trafficking). They conducts a wide variety of education and public awareness initiatives at the local and national levels, including presentations to school and faith groups, media interviews and commentaries, public events, and an extensive campaign targeting the ground transport industry. They monitor and influence legislative and policy developments relating to human trafficking, through our participation in parliamentary committees, conferences and workshops across Canada. As co-founder of the Ottawa Coalition to End Human Trafficking (OCEHT), PACT-Ottawa helps to promote human trafficking awareness and networking among social service providers in Canada. Read more...

Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has established a Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre (HTNCC) at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. The Centre provides a focal point for law enforcement in their efforts to combat and disrupt individuals and criminal organizations involved in Human Trafficking activities. Read more...

Victim's Mindset

RELATED INFO:

DID YOU KNOW?

Human trafficking is the third-largest criminal activity in the world and the fastest-growing crime worldwide.

According to International Labour Organization (ILO), the illegal profits associated with human trafficking reached about US$ 150 billion in 2012. Of that, about US$ 100 billion was tied to sexual exploitation.

Almost 19 million victims are exploited by private individuals or enterprises and over 2 million by the state or rebel groups.

Of those exploited by individuals or enterprises, 4.5 million are victims of forced sexual exploitation.

Human trafficking is often "hidden in plain sight." There are a number of red flags, or indicators, which can help alert you to human trafficking. Recognizing the signs is the first step in identifying victims.

SUCCESS TAT STORIES

In one successful execution of TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) training, a truck driver called 9-1-1 after suspecting human trafficking in a particular situation, and his phone call precipitated the arrest and subsequent conviction of 31 traffickers, the release of 9 people from the sex industry, and the fall of an organized crime ring that had been active in 13 U.S. states.

A male trucker was sitting in his truck when he was approached by a female no older than 14 years old, who was offering sexual services. Earlier, the caller had observed the minor walking from truck to truck with a male in his 20s. The minor spoke to the caller alone and told him that she was from another state and wanted to return home. The caller offered to help her but her male counterpart arrived at the truck and she became silent. The caller observed the male take the female to the shower area and reported the incident to truck stop management. The caller was directed by the management to call the NHTRC. The NHTRC took down the reporting details and advised the caller to call 911 for immediate assistance and to call the NHTRC back to help coordinate additional services and a report to our specialized law enforcement for investigation. Shortly after the call, 5 police cars were dispatched to the location and several males were arrested. The police notified the trucker that the minor was a runaway from another state and that the male had outstanding warrants and was arrested for kidnapping and other charges.

Make the Call, Save Lives

DID YOU KNOW?

SUCCESS TAT STORIES

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