USDOT joins fight against human trafficking

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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USDOT

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is ramping up its efforts to help put an end to domestic and international human trafficking.  

 

USDOT said its work so far includes engaging transportation industry leaders, training stakeholders, circulating public awareness materials and creating new tools and resources.

The department announced plans to require all 55,000 USDOT employees to take training sessions emphasizing human trafficking awareness in 2012, and it has since added further goals to address human trafficking.

USDOT launched the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative, which it said has involved more than 200 transportation and travel industry stakeholders thus far.

TLAHT’s partners partake in the spread of awareness and prevention efforts by making leadership statements, signing pledges, developing reporting protocols, training employees and carrying out public awareness campaigns, USDOT says.

The TLAHT website also offers resources to expand advocacy. Public awareness campaign materials are available on the TLAHT website, including materials like “Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking” posters, banners and modal logos.

USDOT said it works with the Department of Homeland Security to provide human trafficking training sessions that are tailored to address the rail industry and related transportation industries.

Officials highlighted success so far with Amtrak, which has reportedly trained all 20,000 of its employees, and Greyhound having trained all of its drivers.

USDOT said its latest training targets risks in the transit industry and is set to launch in January 2018, during National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.

The department also works with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) Transportation Working Group in its efforts to combat human trafficking, officials said.

More information on USDOT’s initiative fighting human trafficking is available here. Anyone who wishes to report a tip to The National Human Trafficking Hotline can do so at this phone number: 1-888-373-7888.

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