Zonar Systems is a sponsor of Truckers Against Trafficking, and offers the free eTAT app for download on all Samsung in-cab tablets.
Although January is National Trafficking Awareness Month, every day provides opportunities to be aware of one’s surroundings, for there are lives to be saved — and every person who travels through a transportation hub has an opportunity to save one of the 28 million people that are trafficked globally at any given time.
Human trafficking is not limited to secretive border crossings at night. It happens in daylight, at truck stops, at highway passenger car rest stops, in airports, train stations, bus stations, and often in large crowds where nobody notices.
We can fight human trafficking. All of us. You can even become a certified Trucker Against Trafficking even if you aren’t a trucker.
The opportunity to save a life begins with this phrase: “Phone Off, Eyes Open”.
Got downtime in a transport hub? Flight delayed? Eating in an overpriced airport restaurant? Shut off the phone and just start observing the people around you. Human instincts and intuition are extraordinarily developed, particularly in regards to our species’ behavior.
Human behavioral pattern recognition is developed throughout our life. Our long-term memory stores information as detailed as how we expect certain people to walk, talk, stand, sit, eat, and hundreds of other basic actions and movements, each depending on context. We are amazing observers of life without realizing it. Our pattern recognition is so highly developed that behavior which fits a pattern almost becomes invisible. It flies right past.
However, when even the smallest detail catches our attention and breaks a common behavioral pattern, we will consciously notice that something is out of place or doesn’t feel quite right. It’s that instinctive alarm that cues us to look closer, and this is when lives can be saved.
What are these behavioral red flags? Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) has compiled a massive list of them.
TAT is a 501(c)(3) that exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking, bus and energy industries to recognize and report instances of human trafficking. Their list doesn’t just include signs that truckers may notice. Any human who has shut their phone off and is paying attention may notice these signals.
- Lots of cars (typically men) coming in and out of one particular residence or business
- A van or RV that seems out of place out by trucks.
- A vehicle dropping someone off at a truck or passenger rest stop, and picking them up 15-20 minutes later.
- Extreme security measures on homes and businesses that appear out of place
- If your job takes you inside a place of business, keep an eye out for workers who appear to live there.
- If you approach a residence or business, is there any shouting taking place? Are threats being made? Do you hear anyone asking for help?
- Do you see anyone who looks distressed or upset, crying or fearful?
- If a person is with someone else, do you detect any coercion?
- Does the person look underaged?
- From a labor trafficking perspective, when picking up meals from a restaurant, do you observe any employees who always seem to be working or always being watched?
- Are employees able to move about freely and leave the premises?
- If you’re able to speak with them, you can ask them if they are free to leave, feel safe or need your help. Pay particular attention to their demeanor … do they seem nervous talking to you? Are they even free to strike up a conversation?
- Any time you see a minor engage in a commercial sex act
- Any time you believe you are witnessing someone under the control of a pimp, regardless of the age or gender of the victim
- If a passenger vehicle pulls into the truck parking area of a rest area or truck stop and multiple people (usually females) get out of the vehicle and begin going from truck to truck
- People that seem to have a lack of knowledge of their surroundings or area
- Someone that appears to have restricted or controlled communication or is unable to speak for her/himself
- Signs of branding
Transport hub bathrooms, particularly women’s restrooms, are often an opportunity for a victim to seek help. Even though many victims have been trained to hide emotions, not ask for help, and not speak to anyone, human instinct and pattern recognition can’t be suppressed. We sense when one of our own is in trouble. That’s an opportunity to try and make contact and, should the victim deny their plight, that doesn’t stop the concerned citizen from alerting law enforcement.
Never approach or confront a trafficker. Get in touch with law enforcement. You, too, can save a life.
Phone Off, Eyes Open.