Texas Department of Transportation trying to raise awareness about the reality of human trafficking, and calling on both employees and travelers across the state to watch for the signs of human trafficking to help stop it.
“What would happen if we all know the signs of human trafficking and act when we see it? We can work together to give anyone who travels in Texas peace of mind wherever they go,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “We know our transportation system can be a conduit for trafficking, which is why we are providing tips to our employees and Texas drivers on how to spot the signs.”
During National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, TxDOT will be sharing safety messages across the state, including new posters at Travel Information Centers.
TxDOT employees are also receiving training to spot the signs of human trafficking, which officials credit with having already saved victims.
Here are some “red flags” that might indicate labor trafficking or sex trafficking:
- Worker is not free to leave.
- Worker lives at the business.
- Worker is transported to the location by the owner or manager and all workers arrive and leave at the same time.
- Person seems overly fearful, submissive, tense or paranoid.
- Person is deferring to another person before giving information.
- Person has physical injuries or branding such as name tattoos on face or chest.
If you see any of these red flags, you can report the situation through several ways:
- Call 911 for emergencies.
- Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text 233733.
- Call iWatchTexas at 844-643-2251 or submit a report through their website or through the iWatch app on your mobile device.
