Volume 13 | Issue 5
May 2022
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Human trafficking in the news |
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Nebraska State Patrol honored with the TAT Champion Award
in the State Agency Category
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The Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division (NSP CED) received the 2022 TAT Champion Award in the State Agency Category in an April ceremony.
“When we were considering the recipient for the State Agency Category of our TAT Champion Award this year, we wanted to honor a law enforcement partner who took on the TAT mission, made it their own and innovated beyond what we had seen done before, and of course, the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division came to mind,” stated TAT Deputy Director Kylla Lanier as she presented the award.
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Front row, L to R: Captain Maytum NSP CED, Lanier, and Lt. Monty Lovelace, NSP Technical Crimes
Back row: Other members of the NSP CED TAT Committee
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Each year, the TAT Champion Awards recognize and honor the pioneering, creative, innovative and generous efforts of specific TAT partners whose actions have significantly furthered TAT’s work in the fight to end the crime of human trafficking and recover more victims and prosecute more perpetrators.
In detailing the efforts NSP CED has made in working with TAT, Lanier mentioned:
- Systematic work to implement the elements of the Iowa MVE Model, achieving full adoption very quickly
- Undercover operations conducted to help disrupt trafficking networks and recover victims
- Participation in the Sapp Bros. Help Now initiative, providing training for Sapp Bros staff, as well as providing support and feedback to them as TAT co-created the program
- Distribution of thousands of truck driver appreciation bags that included TAT awareness materials in 2020, and have hosted and participated in a number of awareness activities throughout the state, keeping this issue front and center
- Consistent and ongoing training of their officers on human trafficking
- Quarterly meetings of officers and other stakeholders with set objectives to present on human trafficking across the state to schools, commercial vehicle companies, truck stops and other industries, including tow companies, food pantries, alcohol recovery centers, women’s shelters and victim’s assistance programs
- Reports from these meetings which are sent to TAT highlighting all the presentations, outreach and activity that the NSP CED completed to saturate the state with this life-saving message
“And truly,” commented Lanier, “we would be here for hours if I mentioned every state agency, every location, every tweet and social media post and every industry that has been touched by your efforts. They are myriad, and outstanding. We wish every state documented their efforts like you all do, and we do use you as an example in our best practices for state patrols around the nation.”
She concluded, “It’s not only your incredible efforts to combat trafficking, but your integrity, kindness and character as individuals and as a division that stand out to us as an organization.”
“This partnership, with the trucking industry and, specifically, Truckers Against Trafficking, is there to build awareness, provide intervention, and rescue victims of human trafficking,” said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “We are extremely proud of our Carrier Enforcement Division troopers, investigators and support staff for their relentless work and the valuable partnerships they’ve developed in this important mission.”
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TAT staff, Freedom Drivers Project provide training at multiple Canadian venues in April |
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From law enforcement trainings in New Brunswick to a Coalition Build (CB) in Toronto to presentations and tours through the Freedom Drivers Project (FDP) at Canadian companies and a First Nation’s event, TAT staff were busy in Canada in April.
Law Enforcement Trainings in New Brunswick
TAT Deputy Director Kylla Lanier and TAT Training Specialist Annika Huff conducted TAT's first law enforcement trainings in Canada in the province of New Brunswick to approximately 200 attendees from local government agencies, as well as to law enforcement from the federal and provincial levels. The training was sponsored by the Government of New Brunswick's Women's Equality Branch.
Many attendees mentioned that this was the first training they had had on human trafficking, and that they would be making this a priority in their work. On surveys taken at the end of trainings, comments consistently voiced sentiments such as:
"Annika is just incredible and so, so powerful. Thank you so much for sharing your words and story with us and the world. The impact is immeasurable. You are such a strong person, and I will be thinking about this training for a long time."
"Kylla, you are an amazing presenter! You held my attention the entire time. Your analogies and stories were great!"
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Louie Greek, right, talks to a CB participant in front of the FDP. |
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Coalition Build in Mississauga, Ontario
This was the first CB co-hosted by the TAT Canada Committee and TAT, with additional co-hosts of the Ministry of the Ontario Attorney General and the Ontario Motor Coach Association. The event, with the FDP in attendance, drew 60 participants from the trucking, truck stop and bus industries, as well as law enforcement and government agencies. Stevie McKeeme, the Communications and Marketing manager for the Ontario Motor Coach Association, said, “Very well delivered, and I appreciated the attention paid to the moments throughout Liz's experience (Liz Williamson, TAT training specialist and survivor-leader), where someone could have stepped in to offer help or pick up on some red flags that could have changed the course of events for her. This is great information to have when keeping a keen eye to help end human trafficking.”
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FDP events at Day & Ross and UPS
A TAT Freedom Driver Level sponsor, Day & Ross helped haul the FDP across Canada to various events and also brought the exhibit to two of its locations – York, Pennsylvania and Brampton, Ontario – in April. Doug Tingley, CEO of Day & Ross, Canada, stated, “A lot of human trafficking occurs on the highways. We’re literally making thousands of trips across Canada every week. If our people can identify even one or two occurrences, and help stop it, then it’s well worth it.”
A TAT North Star Level sponsor, UPS brought the FDP to its Toronto Hub and its Caledon location. Derek Venman, VP of Operations for UPS Canada and a member of the TAT Canada Committee, toured the exhibit and commented, “The FDP was meaningful and impactful. What a great tool in our fight against these crimes towards humanity. I have challenged all our senior leadership in Canada to go to the TAT website and watch the video again and get their certifications; the response has been fantastic. I am so proud of UPS for the support it has shown to such a worthy cause, and I am honored to be a part of it. I know if every one of our drivers is trained to recognize and respond to human trafficking appropriately, we can really make a difference in the lives of victims and their families.”
More than 450 people toured the FDP at the Day & Ross and UPS events … 130 at Day & Ross and 320 at UPS.
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More than 300 UPS employees toured the FDP at the two UPS locations the exhibit visited. |
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Participants in the VIP tour at Day & Ross |
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Shawanaga First Nation Gas and Variety
The FDP made a stop at the Shawanaga First Nation’s new Gas and Variety store, which will soon be expanding into a truck stop along highway 69. The Shawanaga First Nation people plan to train staff, community and drivers with TAT materials as they pass through. Chief Adam Pawis and Bridget Perrier, an Indigenous survivor, both spoke at the FDP event.
Sixty-two people from the community toured the FDP with their families and children to learn about human trafficking and what they can do as a community to educate themselves and their families.
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Chief Pawis of the Shawanaga, right, speaks with
one of the tribe’s elders outside the FDP.
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Nicole Forfar, Home and Community Care coordinator for the Shawanaga First Nation Healing Centre, declared, "I was very excited to have this event in our community to help educate and spread awareness. Seeing, reading and hearing the stories of human trafficking made me feel sad and naive that this really happens in our world and society. I'm so happy that this mobile trailer has come to Canada, to our First Nation, to spread awareness of human trafficking. It's an important initiative, so we can stop these traffickers and help these girls and women."
Truck World in Mississauga, Ontario
For the first time, the FDP and TAT staff exhibited at Truck World, Canada’s national truck show, in late April. More than 600 people toured the FDP, and TAT staff handed out 4000 wallet cards and 3000 window decals. FDP Director Brandy Belton reported that many people were emotionally moved by the exhibit, and many companies indicated they wanted to start TAT training and adopt an anti-human trafficking policy.
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TAT hires two new employees |
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To further its ability to develop relationships with organizations and stakeholders who will assist in the fight against human trafficking, both in Canada and the United States, TAT has recently hired Matt Fuller as Canada program manager and Chris Moreno as industry training program specialist.
Fuller, who had attended a TAT law enforcement training in Illinois last year through his work as part of the Central Illinois Human Trafficking Task Force, will focus his efforts on bringing TAT’s training, education and awareness to TAT’s Canadian partners. Prior to joining TAT, he worked in higher education and as an anti-trafficking advocate for a social service agency. A graduate of Bradley University, he said, "I'm excited about joining the dynamic TAT team, because TAT is a recognized leader in anti-trafficking awareness and a voice for those who have none."
In addition to making presentations for TAT, Moreno will work to engage new partners for TAT and manage critical long-term industry relationships. She received her bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and an MBA in organizational leadership from the University of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. "I’m excited to be working with TAT, because their approach to fighting human trafficking is innovative, effective and allows for widespread change to take place front and center,” she stated.
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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% of victims were African American, while African Americans made up only 5.8% 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.
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May 2022 Calendar of Events |
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May 3-4 – Texas HIDTA-sponsored law enforcement trainings, Laredo and McAllen, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, and Annika Huff, TAT training specialist and survivor-advocate, presenting
May 2 – American Public Transportation Association Mobility Conference, Columbus, OH, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting
May 11 – Washington Trucking Association Safety Management Council webinar, Chris Moreno, industry training specialist, presenting
May 16 – Traffick Stop on Dave Nemo Show to promote movers/in-home delivery training, Laura Cyrus, Corporate Engagement director, presenting
May 17-18 – CMV Summit, Tuscaloosa, AL, Kylla Lanier, TAT deputy director, presenting
May 18 – FDP at GCR in Salt Lake City, UT, Brandy Belton, FDP director, presenting
May 24 – Coalition Build, Carlsbad, NM, Louie Greek, CB specialist, Ashley Smith, TAT Energy Operations director, and Beth Jacobs, TAT training specialist and survivor-leader, presenting, and FDP
May 25 – FDP at Walmart, Plainview, TX, Ashley Smith, TAT Energy Operations director, attending
May 25 – Colorado Association of Transit Agencies Spring Conference, Colorado Springs, CO, Annie Sovcik, BOTL director, presenting
May 26 – Women Moving Women virtual meeting, Laura Cyrus, Corporate Engagement director, presenting
May 27-29 – Protective 500/Harriet Tubman Award presentation, Indianapolis, IN, Laura Cyrus, Corporate Engagement director, presenting
May 27 – FDP at Walmart, Bartlesville, OK, Brandy Belton, FDP director, attending
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Thank you to our copper level and above individual donors!
Platinum:
Andy and Karin Larsen
Gold:
Jonathan and Jill Lim, Bob Paris, DiAne Reed, Douglas Kegler, Anna McCoy
Silver:
Scott and Terry Koch, Anne & Merlin Namuth, Nicholas and Jane Nagel
Bronze:
Mark and Julie Mihevc, Chris Ripani, Stephanie Guindy, Runbeck/Mowat Fund, Ted Glickley, Grinnell Family
Copper:
Patti Gillette, Linda Burtwistle, Mike and Karen Kuykendall, Don Blake, Scott Perry, Amber Throckmorton, Dan and Emily Dykstra, Michael Nelson, Jacqueline Daves, Tod Kroon, Lou and Rhonda Leeburg, Charlton & Laura Wimberly, Judith Ridgley, The Moroun Family
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TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING | Website
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