OTA Dispatch Issue 4, 2021

16 Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch Truckers Against Trafficking How Our Industry Makes a Difference By Christa Wendland, OTA Communications Consultant THE HEADLINES SHOWN here are just a few of the instances of human trafficking that have occurred in Oregon. Sadly, while I-5 is the primary route for moving freight along the west coast, it has also become a thoroughfare for human traffickers. With truck drivers traveling through every corner of Oregon, it’s become more important than ever for carriers and drivers to know how to identify trafficking situations and understand the best ways to report incidents. So far in 2021, Oregon has had 132 reported occurrences of human trafficking. How many more could have been identified and stopped if just one more motor carrier had trained their drivers and other employees? Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) has made it their mission to effect change and put a stop to this heinous crime. As part of their outreach, they offer quick and easily accessible training for truck drivers. If you haven’t already implemented a plan to get your drivers TAT trained, make it your mission in 2022. January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Every year since 2010, the president has dedicated the month to raising awareness about the different forms of human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, and educating people about this crime and how to spot it. Get started at truckersagainsttrafficking.org