Frontline workers in transportation are once again being called upon to step up during the global pandemic – only this time it’s not about safely delivering the goods needed to survive the coronavirus, but to help fight what could be considered a side effect. Despite global shutdowns, border closures and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, human rights organizations around the world report one thing that didn’t slow down in the year 2020 was human trafficking.

“The reality is, human trafficking did not take a break. Traffickers were, and are still out there selling victims. What changed dramatically in the pandemic is the access victims have to get help,” says Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), a nonprofit organization that exists to educate and enlist transportation professionals in the cause. “Now, more than ever, it is imperative that those on the front lines of the transportation industry – the people who can be our eyes and ears – understand the signs, recognize and report human trafficking.”

Early in the pandemic, Paris explains, TAT recognized that social distancing measures and certain closures due to COVID-19 posed additional risks and increased vulnerabilities for victims and potential victims associated with human trafficking. To spread awareness about the pandemic’s impact on TAT’s mission to combat trafficking, the organization launched an online video campaign called COVID-19 Dispatch Series which was designed to get the information out quickly to a wide audience in “bite-size” portions. The short videos posted on TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org include interviews with transportation industry professionals, law enforcement officials and human rights advocates, who share important reporting tips and information to combat trafficking.

Data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates there are 24.9 million victims associated with the crimes of human trafficking worldwide as of 2019. And while specific statistics related to human trafficking crimes in 2020 have not yet published, victims’ rights organizations anticipate a significant increase in the number of victims paralleling the increase of people driven online due to the pandemic.

“Traffickers seek out victims online to groom them. Often children, victims are targets because they may seem vulnerable or depressed, and emotionally separated from family and friends,” says Paris.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) disclosed there were more than 2 million reports of online exploitation as of April 2020 – that’s an increase of 106% from March 2019 to April 2020, even before the full onset of the pandemic in the U.S. Amid school closures,
limited access to community resources and children spending more time online, NCMEC reports traffickers used the internet during the pandemic as a way to target unsuspecting and vulnerable youth.

“Victims of human trafficking are people of all ages who seem like they are being controlled,” says Victim Specialist Lisa Miriello with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “There is a misconception that human trafficking isn’t happening everywhere, but you don’t have to leave your zip code to see it.” She acknowledges that truckers and those who travel see more, but encourages everyone to be aware of the signs.

Miriello stresses that the key to combating human trafficking is recognizing the common indicators and identifying those who might be victims. “If you are visiting hotels or traveling, young victims of human trafficking are often seen with hotel room keys. Children with hotel keys are a big sign of trafficking. A victim frequently doesn’t know where they are, and may be seen asking what city or state they are in, and may seem disorientated.”

Recognizing that professional truck drivers are one of the first lines of defense to identify, report and help prevent human trafficking, Landstar became a corporate sponsor of Truckers Against Trafficking in 2014. Landstar continues to work with the organization to educate and certify Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) to the signs of human trafficking and the proper actions when encountering potential trafficked victims.

“Before becoming a professional driver, I worked at a truck stop where, unfortunately, there were many times we would see cars drop off groups of young women. It was a warning sign of a trafficking situation and we were able to report the driver to the authorities,” says independent Landstar Business Capacity Owner Sally Erner who earned her TAT certification in 2020. “My husband Christian and I decided to become certified with TAT because we are always traveling and stopping at truck stops across the country. We understand that we are on the front lines in combating human trafficking and I know we can make a difference by reporting unusual or suspicious things we see.”

Drivers, others associated with the transportation industry, and civilians in general, are asked by TAT and the FBI to take reporting seriously, but warn that any other involvement should be left to law enforcement professionals.

“If something seems like it is not quite right, then it’s okay to contact authorities to make a report. We ask the public not to intervene in the situation, but contact local law enforcement because things aren’t always what they seem,” says Miriello. “If someone is in immediate danger, default to 911. Local law enforcement officials are prepared and trained to help us with these crimes, and they know who to call to get human trafficking victims help.”

If you believe you know a victim of human trafficking or have information about a potential trafficking situation, do not intervene. Instead, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. NHTH is a national toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tips can also be submitted to the NHTH online via humantraffickinghotline.org.

If you believe a child is involved in an online trafficking situation, submit a tip through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information that is provided to the CyberTipline.

Any driver, not just Landstar owner-operators, can become TAT certified by visiting Trained.TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org.

Fleet owners and freight agents interested in taking the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) Pledge, to raise awareness about the fight against human trafficking should visit: www.transportation.gov/TLAHT/Pledge.

The FBI and NCMEC urge the public to be aware of these key signs of human trafficking*:

• A person being fearful, timid or submissive
• Appearing malnourished, or showing signs of physical injuries or abuse
• Appearing destitute or lacking personal possessions
• Someone who avoids eye contact, social interaction, authority figures and law enforcement
• A person who is disconnected from family, friends or community
• A person in the company of others to whom he or she defers to and by whom he or she appears to be coached on what to say
• A person who appears to have some kind of branding or ownership tattoo

*Human Trafficking warning signs are adapted from published information available online from TAT, DHS, FBI, NCMEC and the NHTH.