Why ATA is in the Fight
For most Americans, the evils of human trafficking are simply unfathomable. It almost defies belief that such a heinous crime could exist in the modern age. And yet, tragically, it not only exists, but thrives on the periphery outside sports and entertainment venues, alongside highways, and inside our communities.
The statistics are sobering. In 2023 alone, over 9,600 potential human trafficking cases encompassing nearly 17,000 potential victims were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. That same year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was informed about more than 18,400 possible cases of child sex trafficking. But these numbers only scratch the surface. Reports of human trafficking to state and local law enforcement agencies are not always passed up the chain to nationwide organizations and federal agencies. Hundreds of thousands of cases go unseen and unreported annually.
Human trafficking is modern day slavery and one of the worst human rights violations of our time. The American Trucking Associations is committed to leading an industry-wide effort to help put an end to these horrors. Since 2012, ATA has encouraged and worked with its membership and organizations in the trucking industry to combat this scourge.
ATA encourages all trucking companies and organizations to:
- Provide anti-human trafficking training programs for their drivers and professional staff.
- Implement and enforce company-wide zero tolerance policies for those who engage or participate in commercial sex of any kind.
Our Work With Truckers Against Trafficking
ATA partnered with TAT (formerly Truckers Against Trafficking), a nonprofit organization that trains and certifies transportation professionals on best practices in recognizing and reporting the red flags of human trafficking.
ATA’s engagement with Truckers Against Trafficking began in 2012. Sarah Rajtik, ATA's Chief Operating Officer, is a member of the TAT Board of Directors. ATA’s America’s Road Team Captains have been trained as ambassadors, speaking to their peers, law enforcement and others about the industry’s commitment to stop the crime and how to get trained and engaged to join the fight.
Due in large part to TAT, our industry has served as an effective and powerful ally to law enforcement in the ongoing effort to identify and prosecute these crimes. Over two million people--and counting--have been trained by TAT on how to recognize and report human trafficking.
Click here to learn more about Truckers Against Trafficking
ATA has also collaborated with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, a national public awareness effort, spearheaded by the federal government, designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and industry partners. Working with DHS, ATA helped lead an effort that distributed trucking-specific educational materials to truck stops across the country.
Traffickers rely on the transportation network to relocate frequently to avoid detection. This makes truckers indispensable in the effort to disrupt human trafficking rings. Truck drivers are ubiquitous on our nation’s roadways, bringing eyes and ears to every corner of the country. The training that TAT and others provide harnesses their innate sense of compassion and routine vigilance to enable them to identify victims.
Be a Part of the Solution!
The scope of human trafficking is too vast for one industry to handle alone. To make a significant difference, all Americans have a responsibility to heighten their awareness so that they are prepared to assist at the appropriate time.
During Human Trafficking Awareness month, ATA hosted a three-part webinar series explaining how truck drivers, trucking companies, and the moving and storage industry can help combat human trafficking.
Contact Us
Virginia Bulger
Image and Industry Affairs Specialist
(703) 838-1836
vbulger@trucking.org