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Human Trafficking in the News
Why men pay for sex, and why they shouldn't
When  Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots, was charged with two first-degree misdemeanor counts of soliciting a prostitute at the Orchids of Asia massage parlor, the question on many lips was, "Why would a wealthy, famous man risk his reputation to pay for sex?"

Silk exotic strip club co-owner under investigation
in federal sex trafficking case
A federal sex trafficking investigation now includes the co-owner of a downtown Milwaukee strip club. Radomir Buzdum co-owns Silk Exotic, as well as a club in Dodge County, where investigators say he knew women were being trafficked. 

'Modern-Day Slavery': 3 Philadelphia hotels sued
for allegedly turning a blind eye to teen sex trafficking
Lawyers claim several local hotels helped sex traffickers enslave young girls in what they call a rampant sex slave business. The two men convicted as ringleaders of the human sex trafficking rings are serving lengthy prison sentences, and now lawyers are turning their focus on the hotels. The lawsuit filed Wednesday seeks to hold the owners and parent companies of three Philadelphia hotels responsible for what it alleges are human sex trafficking rings that happened right under their noses.
Addressing Demand: Man to Man video now available

In response to a request from TAT's Ambassador drivers for more tools they could use when speaking with other drivers about the demand for commercial sex and its relationship to sex trafficking, TAT has created a video that explores the myths and attitudes that create demand.
 
This video can get the conversation started, not only among drivers, but in men's groups, corporations and with men one-on-one. It is accompanied by resources and steps men, groups and corporations can take to help change ideas, attitudes and policies they may have, as well as cultural norms they see being lived out around them.
 
"As demand is an issue every person should be aware of and talking about, we urge you to watch this video and then share Addressing Demand: Man to Man with your networks," said Kendis Paris, TAT executive director. "The truth is that if there is no buyer, there will be no victim, and there will be no sex trafficking."
Get ready to bid on the  new 
Everyday Heroes truck May 17


This 2019 Kenworth T680 Special Edition Everyday Heroes truck is a head-turner. And buying it helps fight human trafficking, as proceeds of the sale will go to Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) to help fund education and awareness throughout the trucking, truck stop and busing industries.
 
Truckers Against Trafficking and Inland Kenworth unveiled the Everyday Heroes truck at the National Mall in Washington DC in January, kicking off a four-month tour with stops at TMC Annual Meeting in Atlanta (March 18-21), and the Mid-America Trucking show in Louisville (March 28-30), before going on exhibit at Richie Bros.' Houston auction (April 16), Denver auction (May 8) and finally the  Phoenix Auction (May 17) , where the truck will be auctioned.
The special Kenworth T680 is fully loaded with a 76-inch sleeper, 485-hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, and PACCAR 12-speed automated transmission.
TAT hires Louie Greek as training specialist

With the demand continuing to grow for staff to make presentations nationwide, TAT has hired Louie Greek as a training specialist.
 
With over 20 years of law enforcement, military and humanitarian aid experience, Greek has helped recover victims while working human trafficking investigations with law enforcement in countries such as Cambodia, Uganda, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru and Thailand, or working with local law enforcement to overseas military deployments in Iraq and the Balkans.
 
Working with international law enforcement agencies such as the F.B.I., Interpol, Royal Thai Police, Thailand Department of Special Investigations and Department of Homeland Security, he either led, facilitated or coordinated over 60 law enforcement anti-human-trafficking operations, liberating over 740 human trafficking victims with the arrest of more than 120 suspects. In Thailand, he assisted in the creation of the Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Laboratory at the Royal Thai Police Academy, which is responsible for hundreds of arrests related to human trafficking, smuggling of migrants and child exploitation.
 
He served 20 years in the Unites States Army (Reserve). During his time as a Captain, he trained soldiers on the Department of Defense's Trafficking in Persons awareness initiative. His interest in combating human trafficking has steered him to acquire hundreds of hours of anti-human-trafficking education and, in turn, he shares that knowledge in presentations, trainings and awareness.
 
With a strong desire to serve, his passion in this fight for the cause is inspired by one of his most admired abolitionists, Harriet Tubman. Because she said, "I freed a thousand slaves; I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves," Greek believes education and awareness are vital to winning this fight.
 
"After spending the last five years assisting law enforcement in human trafficking investigations around the world," said Greek, "I am happy to now be a part of the TAT team, combating domestic sex trafficking in our country. I feel privileged to be a part of TAT's work, alongside such professionals in the transportation and law enforcement communities. One of the great things about working for TAT is its many fantastic programs. My current favorite is the recent release of our Demand video from our Man-to-Man campaign."
There's still time to join the celebration!


It's not too late to give to the $125,000 matching grant the Greenbaum Foundation and Change a Path are offering in honor of TAT's decade of existence and service. To date, $84,764.60 have been donated. You have until June 18 to donate  to this matching grant campaign, so we can continue to raise up a mobile army of transportation professionals dedicated to discovering and disrupting human trafficking networks.
 
Please consider wishing us Happy Birthday with a financial gift at this time so we can obtain this matching grant. Our impact in this fight continues to grow!


Upcoming Events

May 1 - Crestwood Train the Trainer, Houston, TX, Ashley Smith, TAT oil and gas program manager, presenting

May 2 and 4 - Junior League National Conference, Denver, CO, FDP, Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator, and Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, presenting

May 3 - South Dakota Department of Public Safety Annual CDL Examiners Conference, Oacoma, SD, Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, presenting

May 9-11 - New Mexico Truck Driving Championships, Albuquerque, NM, FDP and Helen Van Dam, FDP director, attending, and Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, presenting 

May 10 - New Mexico Trucking Association 2019 Annual Event, Albuquerque, NM, Louie Greek, TAT training specialist, presenting

May 14 - National Rural Transit Assistance Program webinar, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting

May 16 - Everyday Hero Truck Auction, Phoenix, AZ, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, attending

May 16 - Transportation Club of Detroit, Dearborn, MI, Laura Cyrus, TAT corporate engagement director, presenting

May 21-22 - Colorado Law Enforcement Training, Golden, CO, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, and Annika Huff, survivor-advocate, presenting

May 21 - US Chamber of Commerce Human Trafficking Task Force meeting, Washington, DC, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, attending

May 22 - Colorado Association of Transit Agencies Annual Conference, Denver, CO, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting

May 25 - Protective 500 Reception and TAT Harriet Tubman Award presented by Protective Insurance presentation, Indianapolis, IN, Laura Cyrus, TAT corporate engagement director, presenting

May 29 - Schneider Women's Network, Green Bay, WI, Laura Cyrus, TAT corporate engagement director, presenting

May 30 - Sapp Bros Managers Meeting, Cheyenne, WY, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, presenting 

May 30 - Michigan coalition build, Lansing, MI, Esther Goetsch, TAT coalition build director, and Beth Jacobs, TAT field trainer, presenting and Laura Cyrus, TAT director of corporate engagement, attending

May 31 - Nebraska Truck Driving Championships, Grand Island, NE, Susan Dold, TAT systems administrator, and FDP, attending
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!
Platinum:
Anonymous
Gold:
Andy and Karin Larsen
Silver: 
Bob Paris,  Lou and Ronda Leeburg, Anna McCoy, Scott and Terry Koch, Douglas Kegler
Bronze: 
Scott Perry,  Mark and Julie Mihevc,  Dan and Emily Dykstra
Copper:
Michael Mowat & Janet Runbeck,  Grayling Klunker,  George Cravens,  Mike and Karen Kuykendall,  Wayne Watkins,  Lindsey England,  Karen Rasmussen,  Patti Gillette,  Courtney Hill,  John McKown,  Don Blake, George Bunker, Todd Miller
Truckers Against Trafficking 
PO Box 816 | Englewood, CO 80151
tat.truckers@gmail.com

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