CVSA Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative 2025

Arian Taylor, a professional truck driver for 23 years, was startled by a knock on his truck window around 3 am. Outside, a young woman with an armful of clothes was pleading for help to get home.

Arian learned that this young woman was a victim of human trafficking. He called the Human Trafficking Hotline and helped her escape her situation. With the tools provided by the CVSA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative, you might be able to do the same for someone else.

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In?2024, the CVSA distributed 38,158 wallet cards, 13,510 window decals, 1,603 posters, 334 events, 204 presentations, and a public service announcement aired on Paramount/CBS network, all for the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative.

So, what is it?

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What is the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative?

The?CVSA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative?seeks to “reduce human trafficking throughout North America through coordinated enforcement and investigative and educational awareness measures within the commercial motor vehicle industry.”

In other words, the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is an effort to inform truckers about the tragedies of human trafficking.

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What is Human Trafficking?

The?Department of Homeland Security?defines human trafficking as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.”

Human traffickers enslave more than?40 million people. Every state in the United States and Mexico has reported instances of human trafficking.

Tragically, the traffickers often call on the?commercial transportation system?to carry out their heinous crimes.

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How Do I Participate in the Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative?

The 2025 Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative will be held January 13-17. There are several ways to get involved.

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1. Order complimentary materials, including window decals, wallet cards, and posters here:?https://www.cvsa.org/programs/human-trafficking-prevention/order-tat-outreach-materials/
2. Educate yourself about the realities of human trafficking using the CVSA’s videos and graphics here:?https://www.cvsa.org/programs/human-trafficking-prevention/resources/
3. Become familiar with the universal hand gesture that a victim can use to indicate that they are being trafficked. See below for a graphic and video demonstration.

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Image courtesy of?CVSA.

For a video demonstration,?click here.

Human trafficking is a global epidemic that relies on the transportation industry to succeed. The CVSA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative seeks to educate truckers on how to identify and prevent human trafficking.

By educating yourself, you may save someone from a life of captivity.

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The?England Carrier Services?(ECS) division offers various services for carriers ranging from maintenance to support. As ECS members, carriers have access to nationwide discounts on fuel and tires from dedicated team members committed to finding the best price. ECS also provides factoring services with benefits such as same-day funding to a bank account or fuel card. These options allow carriers the freedom to focus on growing their business while saving time and money.