{"id":3293,"date":"2018-06-06T10:49:33","date_gmt":"2018-06-06T14:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alltruckjobs.com\/blog\/?p=3293"},"modified":"2019-03-12T15:38:31","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T19:38:31","slug":"how-to-identify-human-trafficking-on-the-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alltruckjobs.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-human-trafficking-on-the-road\/","title":{"rendered":"Survivor Shares How to Identify Human Trafficking on the Road"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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It was late afternoon on a Sunday in Minnesota when Beth Jacobs, at age 16, missed her bus ride home. She asked an acquaintance to help her out, and he agreed to give her a ride. The last thing she remembers is sipping from a McDonald’s cup in his car. When she woke up, it was dark. She was at a truck stop<\/a> somewhere between Minneapolis and Chicago. Her simple life as a teenage girl was over. Despite objections, tears and begging for help, Beth never made it home. Instead,\u00a0he beat her and drove her to Chicago, where she spent the next six years forced into prostitution. Right here in America, with many witnesses hearing her cries, Beth was trafficked. Today, she firmly believes that if more people knew how to identify human trafficking and report it, someone would have helped her at that dark truck stop years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople saw what was happening to me, but I don\u2019t think they knew what to do.\u201d \u2013 Beth Jacobs<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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If you see signs of human trafficking, call 1-888-373-7888<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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10 Tips for How to Identify Human Trafficking and Help<\/h2>\n

\"how<\/h2>\n

Today, Beth works as a field trainer for an organization called Truckers Against Trafficking. Traveling the country, she shares her story and trains truck drivers on how to identify human trafficking. Her goal is to teach them how to help victims when they see it happening<\/a>. \u201cTruck drivers are the eyes and the ears of the road,\u201d Beth said. \u201cThey can help law enforcement so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that said, here are 10 tips for how to identify human trafficking and help victims when you see it.<\/p>\n

1. Vehicles that seem out of place<\/h3>\n

If you see vehicles such as RVs or vans that are in the truck parking section of the parking lot, this could be a sign of trafficking. Often times, traffickers will bring the victims to the clientele. They do this by parking near the trucks and then soliciting their services. Pay attention to vehicles like this at truck stops.<\/p>\n

2. People unable to speak for themselves<\/h3>\n

This sign for how to identify human trafficking is a little more obvious. If you are talking to someone who seems unable to speak for themselves, they could be a victim. Often times, the trafficker\u00a0speaks for the\u00a0victim.\u00a0The victim may not able to answer simple questions like, \u201cDoes your family know where you are?\u201d or \u201cDo you know where you are right now?\u201d Often times, victims of trafficking don\u2019t necessarily know where they are taken to.<\/p>\n

3. CB chatter about \u201ccommercial company\u201d or \u201cbuyer location\u201d<\/h3>\n

Sometimes you\u2019ll hear CB chatter about trafficking. If you hear talk about a \u201ccommercial company\u201d or a \u201cbuyer location\u201d up ahead, this could be someone tipping people on where to go to find, essentially, other people to buy.<\/p>\n

4. Violence<\/h3>\n

Any sign of violence could indicate trafficking. In Beth\u2019s case, she was beaten in public at a truck stop. Although it was dark, people could see what was happening to her. If you see something like this take place, this is a reason to call the trafficking hotline or the police.<\/p>\n

5. Not in control of personal\u00a0possessions<\/h3>\n

If someone doesn\u2019t have control of their own ID or money, this could mean that someone else is controlling these possessions for them against their will.<\/p>\n

6. Tattoos or branding<\/h3>\n

Some traffickers or pimps will tattoo or brand their victims to mark that they belong to them.<\/p>\n

7. Obvious cries for help<\/h3>\n

If you hear obvious cries for help, don\u2019t ignore them. You can call the hotline to report trafficking<\/a> without revealing your own identity or getting directly involved.<\/p>\n

8. Educate yourself<\/h3>\n

Another way you can learn how to identify human trafficking is to educate yourself through trainings, such as those provided by Truckers Against Trafficking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

9. Educate others<\/h3>\n

Educate others about trafficking so that they can learn how to identify human trafficking too. Help people to understand that this can happen to anyone. It even could be happening right in front of you without you knowing it.<\/p>\n

10. Use your voice<\/h3>\n

The final way for how to identify human trafficking and help is to use your voice. Beth informed us that there is a federal bill written to help trafficked victims who were convicted of crimes while being trafficked. Their criminal records follow them around, despite the fact that they escaped. Many survivors struggle to get jobs because of it. The bill Beth spoke of is something that would enact vacating laws. Essentially, it\u00a0will give traffic victims the chance to explain their charges to a judge and let a judge decide if their charges can be wiped clean. If you hear of federal or state legislation like this, vote for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have so much power,\u201d Beth said. \u201cI don\u2019t think people realize how much power we have in our voices.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cI just needed a ride home\u201d \u2013 Hear Beth\u2019s Story Now!<\/h2>\n

\"how<\/p>\n

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So how did Beth get from being trafficked in a dark Midwestern truck stop to the successful advocate she is today? Listen to Beth share her experience in the video below!<\/p>\n

WARNING: LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED. THIS\u00a0AUDIO CONTAINS\u00a0GRAPHIC CONTENT OF A VIOLENT NATURE AND MAY BE UPSETTING TO SOME PEOPLE.<\/p>\n