By Fox23.com News Staff
TULSA, Okla. — The Executive Director of Truckers Against Trafficking addressed the Rotary Club of Tulsa to explain the ways businesses and individuals can fight against human trafficking in their own communities.
“I wanted to share with the rotary club about the role that businesses can play in fighting human trafficking,” said Ester Goetsch, the Executive Director of Truckers Against Trafficking. “Oftentimes, we think that crime is something for the social workers or the service providers or just law enforcement. While those stakeholders are critical to this, it really will take all of us doing our part and that does include the business community who have an opportunity to train employees on how to recognize and report human trafficking, how to input policies that are going to fight against demand and how to work together more effectively with each other and with law enforcement to recover more victims.
Goetsch shared how Truckers Against Trafficking specifically works to combat human trafficking across the United States.
“Truckers Against Trafficking is an international nonprofit that educates, equips, empowers and mobilizes members of the transportation industry, including the trucking, bus and energy industry to combat human trafficking. We train everyday workers out there on the front lines who might intersect with a victim of human trafficking in the course of their jobs on how to recognize red flags and how to respond, whether that’s interacting with the victim and offering kindness, safety or things of that nature, or whether it’s just reporting what they’re seeing to the authorities so that law enforcement can do their jobs.”
While some people may assume human trafficking isn’t happening in their area, Goetsch explained that it’s a problem everywhere, including in Oklahoma.
“Unfortunately, this is an issue that does show up in all communities wherever there is a demand for cheap labor or commercial sex. That’s what drives this and until we really get to those root causes, we’re going to just continue to fight the exploitation of people.”
Goetsch gave some advice on the best courses of action to take if anyone ever meets someone they suspect might be experiencing human trafficking.
“If somebody sees something that they think might be a human trafficking situation, the best thing to do is to report that tip. You can do that locally through 911 or local law enforcement. It’s important to give very detailed descriptions of what you’re seeing, the time, date and location. Time is of the essence in these cases to respond immediately. They can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which operates 24/7 and is another resource specifically for victims if they need services. Lastly, if they see someone that seems like they may be in a rough situation, it’s never not a good idea just to ask ‘is there anything I can do for you?’ Those types of humanizing and compassionate questions can go a long way for individuals who may find themselves in trafficking situations.”
Goetsch said every business or individual can make tangible differences in the fight against human trafficking.
“Civic leaders, business owners, community stakeholders, there is always a role for individuals in companies and organizations to play in combatting human trafficking. TAT is one way that, especially organizations in the public or private sector, can do tangible things like training employees, adopting policies and protocols or building coalitions that bring more emphasis and awareness to communities. Of course, individuals can also get involved with local organizations that are serving victims of human trafficking. That is a huge need, whether it’s just resources or rides or services, there’s plenty of need related to this issue. I encourage people to get online, look at TAT, look at other organizations who are leaders in this space and find where you can do just a few simple things to make an impact.”
To learn more about Truckers Against Trafficking, you can visit their website here.
Below is a list of organizations in the local area who work to combat human trafficking or assist human trafficking victims. To learn more, click on the name of the organization to be brought to their website.
