Truckers on the Frontline: Combatting Human Trafficking on America's Highways

Send us a text

What if you could be the difference between life and death on America's highways? Join me, Tamie, as we uncover the crucial role truckers play in the fight against human trafficking, especially during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. With unique insights and practical advice, this episode explores how truckers become the vigilant eyes and ears on the road, empowering them to recognize and report signs of exploitation. Through the inspiring story of Kevin Kimmel, who took swift action to rescue a trafficking victim, we learn the impact our trucking community can have in bringing traffickers to justice.

As women in trucking, our perspectives offer a heightened awareness essential in this fight. We'll discuss actionable steps to take if you suspect human trafficking, emphasizing intuition and education. Discover how initiatives like the Women in Trucking Association's discreet information campaigns provide victims with pathways to help, and learn how spreading awareness in truck stops can make a significant difference. Let's unite to create safer roads and communities, supporting victims and preventing this horrific crime from continuing on our watch.

Support the show

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey, welcome to Trucking with Tammy.
This is the podcast where weexplore the lives and stories of
women in the trucking industry.
I'm Tammy, your host.
So today, in honor of NationalHuman Trafficking Prevention
Month, we're going to focus onan issue that intersects
critically with the truckingcommunity human trafficking, sex

(00:28):
critically with the truckingcommunity, human trafficking.
It is January, a timespecifically dedicated to
raising awareness and educatingabout this horrific crime, so
let's dive into how we,especially as women in trucking,
can help make a difference.
Okay, first let's clarify whattrafficking is.
It's not just about crossingthe borders illegally.

(00:48):
It's exploitation through forcefraud, commercial sex acts,
exploiting labor.
So in the United States alone,human trafficking touches every
single state.
With truck stops, rest area andthe transient nature of our

(01:10):
industry, we inadvertentlyprovide opportunities for
traffickers.
So in the trucking world, weare the eyes and ears of the
road Organizations like TruckersAgainst Trafficking.
They've been pretty pivotal intraining drivers how to spot the
signs of human trafficking.
I myself just did mycertification.

(01:32):
Today we took the 35-minutetraining program that they have
on their website.
I think it's the third timeI've taken it in the last five
years.
This education is super vitalbecause, as a truck driver, you
might be one of the first, oronly one, to notice something is
wrong.

(01:52):
You can look for signs, likepeople who don't seem to know
their whereabouts, people wholack control over their own
documentation.
Like somebody else is holdingtheir driver's license for them,
even though when I go out Ialways gave it to the hubs when
I was married.
Or it might be somebody that'sdisplaying signs of physical

(02:12):
abuse or fear.
So you know, there have beensome real life stories that
highlight the impact truckerscan have.
You know, a while back therewas a driver Kevin Kimmel, he
knows a young girl that waspeering out from my, I believe
it was an RV or motor home at atruck stop and the young lady
was pulled back really quick,right.

(02:34):
So he thought that was a littlesuspicious.
He called the authorities andit led to the rescue of a 20
year old woman who had beenkidnapped and forced into
prostitution.
This not only saved her life,but it put two perpetrators
behind bars for over 40 yearseach.
These stories aren't just aboutthe horror of trafficking.

(02:57):
They're also about hope andaction.
Women in trucking, with ourunique perspective, can be
particularly vigilant.
I mean, we pay attention In theWomen in trucking, with our
unique perspective, can beparticularly vigilant.
I mean, we pay attention.
And the Women in TruckingAssociation?
It even initiated projects likeproviding lip bumps with escape
information.
They put it in the truck stoprestroom and then the victim had

(03:19):
a discreet way of finding help.
You know, having that phonenumber with them.
Finding help, you know, havingthat phone number with them.
So what can you do if yoususpect human trafficking?
Well, there's a few steps thatyou can take.
First off is you need to trustyour gut.
If something feels off, itprobably is, report it.

(03:40):
Know the signs.
Educate yourself on theindicators of trafficking and
the best way to know the signs.
Go to the Truckers forTrafficking website.
Take the class.
It's free, 35 minutes of yourtime.
You'll learn a little bit aboutwhat to look for and the number
To report it.
You're going to use theNational Human Trafficking

(04:02):
Hotline.
That number is 888-373-7888 outof the US.
You can do a simple Google.
It's everywhere all over theinternet.
So, if you don't remember itfrom this podcast, all you got
to do is do a simple search andit'll pop up.
If you're unsure but you suspecttrafficking, if it's like

(04:23):
something immediate that youthink somebody's in danger, call
911.
Talk about it.
Talk about it around truckstops, talk about it with fellow
drivers, spread awareness.
We have a guy that I work withwho is part of an organization
that is really heavy duty instopping and preventing and

(04:44):
helping victims of trafficking.
So all you got to do is spreadthat awareness.
Talk about it like he's done tome.
I'm well aware what he's doingand how he's helping the
situation.
But remember, and this is mostimportant, it's great to see the

(05:05):
signs, it's great to report it,but engaging with those
potential victims directly itcan be dangerous, it can be
counterproductive.
So instead, your role, and youronly role, is to alert those
trained how to handle thesesituations safely.
Okay, so don't try and be a hero.
Don't try, and you know, getout there and start a fight or

(05:30):
anything like that.
Leave it to the professionals.
Okay, so that's what you can do, right?
So what's being done on thelegislative front?
Well, there's been a push tointegrate human trafficking
awareness into the training ofcommercial drivers.
Most companies do have it inonboarding.
States like Kansas and Floridahave either adopted or are

(05:54):
considering mandatory training,and this legislative support
underscores the importance ofthis issue with our industry.
Now there are community effortslike the Freedom Drivers
Project and that educatesthrough mobile exhibits, at
events, and these initiativesare crucial because they not
only inform but they alsoempower truckers to act.

(06:16):
As women in this industry, wehave a significant role in
advocating for these changes,ensuring that our voices are
heard in policy discussions,ensuring that our voices are
heard in policy discussions.
So our voices, we work together, we can be heard.

(06:39):
Women, we can be heard.
So, as we close today's episode, let's reflect on our role in
this fight.
Okay, each of us, every time wehit the road, every time we're
at a truck stop, every timewe're at a rest area even some
shippers and receivers we can bean agent of change.
Pay attention, report it.
If you see it, you know humantrafficking isn't just a problem

(07:00):
out there.
It's a crime that can happenright in front of us and we are
in the places where it is mostlikely to happen.
So I encourage all of youeducate yourselves, Stay
vigilant, take action when it'sneeded.
Let's commit to making ourhighways safer for everyone and

(07:23):
remember every small act ofawareness and intervention can
lead to significant change.
It can even save somebody'slife.
So thank you for tuning in toTrucking with Tammy today.
Keep your trucks rolling, keepyour eyes open Until next time.
Drive safe and let's keepfighting the good fight, okay.