January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, aiming to highlight the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the United States and how this despicable crime can be hidden in plain sight on our motorways.
As an issuer of driver secure documents, the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) is one of the authorities committed to combating the ease with which human traffickers could use our transport routes and potentially in possession of false driver licenses and ID. This highlights the importance of educating both their team members and motorists to recognise and report indicators of human trafficking on the road.
DDS Commissioner Spencer R. Moore, who often attends Identity Week America based in Washington DC, emphasised the collaborative efforts in this fight:
“DDS works in tandem with groups like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) and Georgia’s Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force to help educate the public about this horrendous crime.”
Truck drivers play a crucial role as the “vigilant eyes and ears of the nation’s highway systems”, the DDS statement read. Engaging the vast communities of truckers and motorists and growing their awareness of human trafficking could create meaningful strides towards eradicating the crime. The Georgia Legislature mandates human trafficking awareness and prevention courses for all commercial drivers in the state. Furthermore, the state is speeding ahead to implement legislation that now enforces a lifetime CDL ban for anyone found operating a vehicle involved in human trafficking.
To end human trafficking for victims, it’s vital to learn the signs and report any suspicious activity including any rider travelling with forged or no documentation of who they are, which could indicate they are captive to their human traffickers, are the perpetrator or are committing a crime. We know one method often used by traffickers is to withhold their victims’ identity documents before replacing them with fraudulent paperwork to gain employment, mask their true identity or gain unentitled benefits.
