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Human Trafficking in the News
DOT's committee against human trafficking holds first meeting 
WASHINGTON - Targeted outreach efforts and training are key to reaching industry representatives who can aid in the fight against human trafficking, according to Kendis Paris, executive director of Truckers Against Trafficking.  Paris is one member of the 15-person Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation in October. The group's goal is to develop strategies for reporting human trafficking and craft recommendations for DOT-funded programs to combat the issue.
 
4 ways the US can take the lead in the fight against human trafficking
The US Senate recently  endorsed the nomination of long-standing civil rights prosecutor, John Cotton Richmond, as new Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. This statutory post, created under the Clinton administration, has been critical in shaping the outsize role that the US has occupied in pushing the rest of the world to do something about what is now commonly termed 'modern slavery.' But the position comes with heavy baggage. As the ambassador takes the helm, he should not underestimate the formidable task ahead of him.

Part Four: A look at 'Johns,' the men whose demand
drives our sex-trafficking problem
Sex trafficking, a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry, exists because a significant number of men in our community are willing to pay for sex with people, mostly women but also men, who have been coerced into doing so. It's simple economic logic - without demand, an industry falls apart - but it's often overlooked in conversations that focus on the victims and the traffickers.  In this installment, we look at the Johns, whose demand for commercial sex has driven the trafficking industry. We take a look at who Johns are, the question of the "victimless crime," how law enforcement treats Johns, and some deeper social questions posed by sex trafficking.
2018 TAT annual report coming soon!

TAT had an incredible 2018! Work on the annual report is underway, and it should be out in January. Watch for it on our website, truckersgainsttrafficking.org. Happy New Year to all!


TravelCenters of America to launch TAT product promotion  in conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Beginning in January, to bring attention to National Human Trafficking Awareness month and the work Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) does within the trucking and busing industries to prevent this crime, TravelCenters of America will become the first company to launch a nationwide TAT product promotion.
 
While supplies last, TravelCenters of America stores will sell hats, cups, flashlights and cell accessories with the TAT logo on them. These can be found in specially designed product centers displayed in the stores. One dollar from every sale will be given directly to Truckers Against Trafficking, with the goal of giving $100,000 to TAT to support the work.  
 
TravelCenters of America President and COO Barry Richards stated, " As longtime partners of Truckers Against Trafficking, we are excited to provide our customers with an easily accessible and hands-on way to support their mission. Not only will TAT be benefiting from the purchase of each item, but the merchandise itself provides another way to raise awareness about this crime. We especially  appreciate  that this campaign will launch in January, during Human Trafficking Awareness Month,   and are proud to be the first company to conduct a widespread product promotion on TAT's behalf."
2019 Everyday Heroes Truck to be debuted
at press conference at the National Mall


Inland Kenworth will put the 2019 Everyday Heroes Truck on display Jan. 15 at a 10 a.m. press conference at the National Mall. Built on behalf of Truckers Against Trafficking, it is scheduled to be auctioned off on May 17, 2019, in Phoenix at Ritchie Bros. Auctions.
 
The first Everyday Heroes Truck was auctioned in 2017 for $140,000 to J&L Transportation, resulting in an $83,000 donation to TAT, the largest in the organization's history that year.
 
The Freedom Drivers Project (FDP), TAT's mobile museum, will also be available for tours before and after the press conference. The FDP travels the nation educating audiences about the realities of human trafficking and how the trucking industry is combating this crime.
Busing on the Lookout and Freedom Drivers Project
to attend major busing events in January


The Freedom Drivers Project (FDP) will accompany Annie Sovcik, director of Busing on the Lookout (BOTL), to the United Motorcoach Association EXPO in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Jan. 7-10. This will be the first time the FDP will attend a busing event. The FDP will be available for tours during the hours the EXPO floor is open daily, while Sovcik both presents and mans a booth at the event.
 
"UMA is pleased to welcome BOTL and the FDP to our annual EXPO," said Stacy Tetschner, president and CEO, United Motorcoach Association. "We believe it's imperative for the entire industry to rally around this important initiative, as each one of us has a role to play in the fight against human trafficking. As the largest annual gathering of bus and motorcoach owners and operators in North America, the UMA EXPO is a perfect location for an exhibit like the FDP that will help inform and educate our members about how they can get involved." 
 
From there, Sovcik will travel to the American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 25-29, to man a booth and continue building awareness about human trafficking and BOTL.
 
Booth space at both events has been provided by UMA and ABA free of charge.
 
Throughout 2018, momentum to fight human trafficking has been gaining in the bus industry, with Coach USA, one of the largest bus companies in the country, announcing last September that they were joining BOTL in the fight against human trafficking. Their commitment includes distributing BOTL cards to their drivers and employees with information about human trafficking and a tip line to call if they see something that raises a red flag. Annual training will also include the BOTL video, a list of indicators employees should be aware of while on the job and posting of the human trafficking hotline number around the depot and on their buses for the issue to be top of mind during the shift. In a news release, Coach USA/Megabus.com voiced pride in becoming BOTL sponsors and have contributed financial support, travel vouchers for victims and both state and federal public affairs support for the campaign.
Upcoming Events

Jan. 7-9 - United Motorcoach Association Expo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting and manning booth, and Helen Van Dam, FDP director, and Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator, with FDP available for tours

Jan. 14 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Coach USA media event, Newark, NJ, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting

Jan. 15 - Everyday Heroes truck on National Mall for press conference, Washington, DC, Kendis Paris, TAT executive director, speaking, with Helen Van Dam, FDP director, and FDP available for tours

Jan. 18 - Demand an End Transportation Training, Atlanta, GA, Esther Goetsch, coalition build specialist, presenting, with Helen Van Dam, FDP director, and FDP available for tours

Jan. 20-21 - American Moving and Storage Association Safety and Operations Conference, Charlotte, NC, Laura Cyrus, TAT corporate engagement director, presenting

Jan. 25 - Matheson event, Sacramento, CA, Helen Van Dam, FDP director, presenting, and Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator, with FDP available for tours

Jan. 26-28 - American Bus Association Meeting and Marketplace, Louisville, KY, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, manning a booth

Jan. 30-Feb. 1 - Pre-Super Bowl Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Coach USA media event, Atlanta, GA, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting
TAT's work is made possible through the generous support of our corporate sponsors, foundation partners and individual donors. Our education, training, legislative engagement, and advocacy efforts would not exist without those who invest in the change that we work towards each day. If you are interested in learning more about how you can provide financial support, please visit our corporate engagement webpage 
or contact Laura Cyrus at 612-888-4828 or lcyrus@truckersagainsttrafficking.org to explore our giving opportunities.
Thank you to our copper level and above individual donors!
Douglas Kegler -  platinum level
Andy and Karin Larsen  - gold level
Bob Paris -  silver level
Lou and Ronda Leeburg - silver level
Anna McCoy - silver level
Scott Perry  - bronze level
Ruby Dineen-Silvestrini  - bronze level
Ryan and Lindsay Bogatie  - bronze level
Mark and Julie Mihevc  - bronze level
Dan and Emily Dykstra - bronze level
Michael Mowat -  copper level
Grayling Klunker - copper level  
George Cravens -  copper level
Mike and Karen Kuykendall - copper level
Dewayne and Becky Jennings  - copper level
Wayne Watkins - copper level
Lindsey England - copper level
Karen Rasmussen - copper level
Patti Gillette - copper level
Courtney Hill - copper level
Kevin & Kristin Vannorsdel - copper level
John McKown - copper level
Don Blake - copper level
Truckers Against Trafficking 
PO Box 816 | Englewood, CO 80151
tat.truckers@gmail.com

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