Volume 12 | Issue 8
August 2021
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Human trafficking in the news |
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2021 Harriet Tubman Award presented to Sapp Bros. employee |
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Jessica Chapman received TAT’s 2021 Harriet Tubman Award presented by Protective Insurance at Sapp Bros. 50th Anniversary Celebration. |
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Jessica Chapman, a Sapp Bros. Travel Center cashier in Junction City, Kansas, is the 2021 winner of TAT’s highest award -- the Harriet Tubman Award presented by Protective Insurance.
The Harriet Tubman Award presented by Protective Insurance is named in honor of famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, whose courageous personal actions resulted in the transportation of 300 slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad and whose overall role in the freedom movement was instrumental in the freeing of thousands more. Born into slavery in 1820, Miss Tubman was the first African American woman buried with full military honors and the first to have the inaugural Liberty ship named after her – the SS Harriet Tubman – by the US Maritime Commission.
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Earlier this year, Chapman noticed a woman in the travel center who seemed distressed. Seeing a man near her, Chapman caught the woman’s eye and asked her if she was all right. The woman approached Chapman and acknowledged that she wasn’t. Because the man was in the store, and so as not to arouse suspicion, Chapman took down a rewards application and acted like she was helping the woman fill it out, all the while gathering information about the situation in order to call law enforcement. Her quick and very intelligent response led to the arrest of the man, and allowed the woman, who had been sexually exploited, to get to a safe place.
"Jessica's quick thinking and immediate actions on behalf of the victim of sexual exploitation are indicative of what this award is all about,” enthused Kendis Paris, TAT executive director. “Her TAT training, combined with empathy and courage, are exactly what that woman needed that night. We are humbled and grateful to be presenting Jessica with our 2021 Harriet Tubman Award."
“The training from Sapp Bros. about human trafficking helped me recognize something was wrong, and then my instincts took over. I was just really glad I could help. I’m very appreciative to win the 2021 Harriet Tubman Award,” said Chapman.
The award, which carries with it a $2500 check, was presented at a fiftieth anniversary celebration for Sapp Bros. at their headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska on July 29. Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, who attended the event, honored Chapman in her remarks, as well as Sapp Bros., for their work to combat sexual exploitation and their commitment as a TAT partner.
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Sapp Bros has worked with law enforcement, as well as Truckers against Trafficking, to raise awareness through trainings offered to their customer base and their employees and to develop protocols for how to respond to this crime and its victims. Through their Help Now campaign, they have also supported TAT’s mission financially and have created signage found around their properties that raises awareness about human trafficking and that Sapp Bros is committed to help end it.
During the event, Sapp Bros. CEO Andy Richard presented TAT with a check for $65,000, raised through their ongoing fundraising efforts at their stores and through their staff. Recognition was given to the top fundraising stores and individuals.
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Sapp Bros. presented a check for $65,000 to TAT. Holding the check with Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director (third from left), are Sapp Bros. employees Kristina Lamb, Katina Summers and Angela Jones. Lamb is the general manager of the Fremont, Nebraska store which raised the most money. Summers and Jones, along with Sheri Hindman (not pictured), were the employees who were the biggest individual fundraisers. |
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Florida Trucking Association wins TAT Champion Award in the Association Category |
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The Florida Trucking Association (FTA) received the 2021 TAT Champion Award in the Association Category at their annual conference in Orlando on July 23.
Ken Armstrong, outgoing FTA president and CEO, accepted the award on behalf of the FTA leadership from TAT Deputy Director Kylla Lanier. In announcing the award, Lanier said, “The Florida Trucking Association has been one of our staunchest supporters in the fight against human trafficking, taking this issue on as their own and making it a priority. Through every avenue available to them, they have leveraged their influence on TAT's behalf to help build an army of eyes and ears on our roadways to recognize and report this crime.”
The fight against the injustice of human trafficking is the work of thousands of dedicated and committed people taking place on continents and in countries around the world. Without the support, commitment and actions of the organizations, associations and state agency partners TAT works with, the gains made in the fight against human trafficking in the United States would take a huge leap backward. Each year, therefore, TAT recognizes and honors the outstanding creative, innovative, generous and dedicated efforts of specific partners, whose actions have significantly helped to engage more members of the industries TAT works with, as well as the efforts of more agencies and organizations within their state and the nation, in the fight to end the crime of human trafficking.
Examples of the FTA’s work with TAT includes:
- Ensuring the Florida Road Team was TAT Trained
- Educating legislators on prospective bills concerning human trafficking training for truckers
- Publishing articles in the Florida Truck News about TAT and human trafficking and keeping TAT training on FTA members’ radar through frequent messaging from FTA leaders
- Speaking to the state human trafficking coalition about trucking’s position on human trafficking
- Participating on a leadership panel at the state Human Trafficking Summit
- Becoming a Copper Level TAT sponsor
- Issuing a challenge from the FTA Board to all members to TAT Train their drivers
- Inviting TAT to present to company leadership and safety directors at the Florida Truck Driving Championships and the FTA Annual Conference and asking TAT to present to the Florida Third Party Testers conference
- Working with Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to include substantial TAT information in the driver’s manual
- Co-hosting a TAT Coalition Build with the Florida Attorney General’s Office
- Participating in the launch of the Florida Highway Heroes program
“Florida Trucking Association is honored to receive the TAT Champion Award this year,” said Alix Miller, FTA president and CEO. “Our members are committed to train employees to spot human trafficking victims and help put an end to this horrific crime. We look forward to continuing our work with Truckers Against Trafficking as we advocate for and protect victims.”
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Dr. Ken Armstrong, outgoing FTA president and CEO (fourth from left), received the TAT Champion Award for the FTA. From left are Scott Perry, TAT Board Chair and incoming FTA Board Chair; Phillip Fulmer, outgoing FTA Board Chair; Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, who presented the award; Armstrong; and Dr. Alix Miller, FTA president and CEO. |
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Love’s Financial provided matching grant
to honor World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
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A $10,000 matching grant, provided to TAT by Love’s Financial, raised over $52,000 during the last week of July. The grant time period ran one week, ending July 30, designated World Day Against Trafficking in Persons by the United Nations.
Since human trafficking takes place in every nation, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons in 2010, urging governments worldwide to take coordinated and consistent measures to defeat this scourge. Three years later, during a meeting to appraise the plan, July 30 received the designation of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.”
“Truckers Against Trafficking is such an important organization, and we’re happy to support its mission,” said Neely Campbell Thomas, director of Love’s Financial. “We’d like to thank them for the work they do in educating people, as well as our customers who donated generously.”
Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores has partnered with TAT since 2013, participating in TAT Coalition Builds and providing financial support as a sponsor.
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TAT’s Freedom Drivers Project attends
42nd Walcott Truckers Jamboree
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For the fourth time since 2016, TAT's Freedom Drivers Project (FDP) attended the Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop July 8-10. An estimated 44,500 drivers, their families and local residents attended the event, with visitors arriving from 22 different states and three Canadian provinces to display their trucks. During the three days, guests enjoyed over 150 exhibits, a fantastic antique truck display with more than 100 vehicles, a trucker olympics, a pet contest, free concerts and a truck light show among other activities.
“It took a pandemic for the rest of the country to realize what we’ve known all along -- professional drivers are essential to our everyday lives, and they deserve to be celebrated. That’s exactly what the Walcott Truckers Jamboree is all about,” explained Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president, Iowa 80 Group.
Over 1,700 people toured the FDP to learn about the realities of domestic sex trafficking and what they can do to discover and disrupt it. They chatted with members of the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Enforcement (MVE) group, as well as TAT staff, received TAT materials and were offered temporary TAT tattoos.
"It was great for us to be able to assist Trucker’s Against Trafficking with educating drivers and the public at the Walcott Jamboree this year," shared Captain Scott Knudston, Iowa DOT MVE.
“We support the important work that Truckers Against Trafficking does in training truck drivers and working with law enforcement. Education is key and the FDP trailer is a great tool,” commented Heather Dee Baillie, Marketing vice president, Iowa 80 Group.
“We had a great time at the Jamboree and want to thank the Iowa 80 folks for providing FDP space free of charge, as well as the wonderful Iowa MVE volunteers that worked around the clock ushering folks through,” said Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator.
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Captain Knudston (standing in doorway) and Captain Steele of the Iowa DOT MVE volunteered at the FDP and spoke to Jamboree attendees about human trafficking and TAT. |
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Trafficking victims can and do come from all racial and ethnic groups. In a 2013 study by Portland State University, researchers analyzed cases of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in the Portland Metro Area from 2009 through 2013. They found that 27.1 percent of victims were African American, while African Americans made up only 5.8 percent of the county’s population. The more we know about what human trafficking really looks like, the better we’ll be able to recognize a victim and make the call. Race does play a role.
Source: Portland State University
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August 2021 Calendar of Events |
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Aug. 3 – Energy Security Council webinar, Ashley Smith, TAT Energy Operations director, presenting
Aug. 4 – BOTL webinar and FDP virtual tour, Chris Bates from Overcoming Exploitation, and Lexi Higgins, BOTL program specialist, presenting on A Closer Look at LGBTQ+ Identity and Human Trafficking
Aug. 5 – Colorado State Patrol training, Golden, CO, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, and Annika Huff, TAT training specialist and survivor-advocate, presenting
Aug. 6 – Walmart Transportation webinar, Helen Hofer, FDP director, and Liz Williamson, TAT training specialist and survivor-advocate, presenting
Aug. 6 – ProMiles Meet Up virtual presentation, Laura Cyrus, Corporate Engagement director, presenting
Aug. 9 – Virginia/South Carolina/North Carolina Regional Motorcoach meeting, Harrisonburg, VA, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting
Aug. 11 -- BOTL webinar and FDP virtual tour, Sheri Combs from Covenant House and Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting on A Closer Look at Homelessness and Human Trafficking
Aug. 11 – Pennsylvania Bus Association Annual Motorcoach Safety and Preparedness Workshop, York Springs, PA, Lexi Higgins, BOTL program specialist, presenting
Aug. 12-13 – FDP at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines, IA, Helen Hofer, FDP director, presenting
Aug. 12 – Coalition Build, McPherson, KS, Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, and Liz Williamson, TAT training specialist and survivor-advocate, presenting
Aug. 18 – BOTL webinar and FDP virtual tour, Bandak Lul from Arizona State University School of Social Work and Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting on A Closer Look at Immigration and Human Trafficking
Aug. 18 – FDP at GCR Tires and Service, Commerce City, CO, Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator, presenting
Aug. 19 – Pennsylvania Center for Safe Schools webinar, Lexi Higgins, BOTL program specialist, presenting
Aug. 25 – BOTL webinar and FDP virtual tour, Jessica Muñoz from Voices for Children and Lexi Higgins, BOTL program specialist, tor, presenting on The Child Welfare System and Human Trafficking
Aug. 26 – Bus and Casino virtual Coalition Build and FDP virtual tour, Atlantic City, NJ, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, and Liz Williamson, TAT training specialist and survivor-advocate, presenting
Aug. 29-Sept. 2 – Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Annual Conference and Exhibition, Wilmington, DE, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, and Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, attending
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Thank you to our copper level and above individual donors!
Diamond:
Runbeck/Mowat Fund
Platinum:
Douglas Kegler
Gold:
Jonathan and Jill Lim, Bob Paris, Andy and Karin Larsen, Diane Reed
Silver:
Scott and Terry Koch, Anna McCoy
Bronze:
Mark and Julie Mihevc, Chris Ripani, Stephanie Guindy, Amy Reitmar, Anne & Merlin Namuth
Copper:
George Cravens, Patti Gillette, Linda Burtwistle, Ken Johnson, Mike and Karen Kuykendall, Kent Marshall, Don Blake, Scott Perry, Grinnell Family, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Turner, Amber Throckmorton, Dan and Emily Dykstra, Michael Nelson, Jacqueline Daves, Nicholas and Jane Nagel, Tod Kroon
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TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING | Website
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