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Just before the holidays, I participated in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s second public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking (ACHT). During this full-day event, I met with organizations that fight human trafficking, academics, representatives of the various modes of transportation, religious leaders and human trafficking survivors, to discuss preliminary ideas and recommendations for the group’s Congressionally mandated report on combating human trafficking in the transportation sector. |
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The advisory committee, which was first convened in 2018 and rechartered in 2023, is charged with producing a counter-trafficking report with recommendations for countering human trafficking as well as an assessment of best practices by transportation stakeholders. |
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As NATSO’s representative on the committee, I will work closely throughout the year to share our industry’s best practices and success stories as we develop the ACHT report. NATSO’s service on this committee is a stark reminder of the critical role that truck stops and travel centers play in promoting public awareness about the crime of human trafficking. As we embark on National Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January, I encourage you to join me in renewing the industry’s commitment to combatting this crime in 2024. |
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ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE THIS YEAR
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The NATSO Foundation provides many resources for truck stops, travel centers and fuel retailers to advance employee education and public awareness about human trafficking.
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Train Your Employees |
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Train your employees: The NATSO Foundation provides an online learning tool designed to help teach truck stop owners, operators, and employees how to respond if they suspect human trafficking. The course is available free of charge to any member of the truck stop and travel center community at https://www.natso.com/onlinelearning. The NATSO Foundation’s “Combating Human Trafficking” toolkit offers truck stops and travel centers a roadmap for implementing an anti-human trafficking education and awareness program at their individual locations. |
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Post Public Awareness Materials
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Did you know that through our alliance with the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign, the NATSO Foundation provides the DHS Blue Campaign’s training and awareness materials – including posters, handouts and other materials — to the nation’s truck stops and travel centers? The following materials can be downloaded and posted in your locations. |
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Learn About Regional Trends
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The NATSO Foundation co-sponsors regional meetings with Truckers Against Trafficking that bring members of the business community together with law enforcement to discuss regional human trafficking trends and collective ways to combat this crime. Approximately a half dozen of these events take place each year in various parts of the United States. |
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