What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. Traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion to control their victims. Any minor engaged in commercial sex is a victim of human trafficking. While the initial purchase of victims may occur online, the real-time sale of victims can happen in many locations, including truck stops, restaurants, rest areas, hotels/motels, strip clubs, private homes, etc.

  • Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry.
  • There are 50 million victims of human trafficking globally.
  • Human trafficking happens throughout Canada in urban, rural, and suburban areas.
  • In Canada, over 50% of trafficked women are Indigenous, though they make up only 4% of the female population.
  • A victim may be forced to have sex up to 20 times a day.

Red flags to watch for:

  • Lack of knowledge of their whereabouts; not in control of ID/passport
  • Restricted or controlled communication – not allowed to speak for self
  • CB chatter about “commercial company” or flashing lights signaling “buyer” location
  • Acknowledgment of a pimp and making a quota
  • A van or RV that seems out of place out by trucks; a vehicle dropping someone off at a truck and picking them up 15-20 minutes later

Human Trafficking Training for the Trucking Industry

Canadian drivers work diligently to deliver products and people safely to their intended destinations across North America. And in the course of their everyday jobs, these drivers have the opportunity to be a hero to some of the most vulnerable people – victims of human trafficking. If the more than seven million members of the trucking industry understood what human trafficking was and learned how to recognize it – especially those deployed along Canada’s highways and roads driving trucks or working in travel plazas and truck stops where traffickers can travel with victims – they could be a critical force in aiding law enforcement with the recovery of victims and the apprehension of criminals.

We are a proud partner of
Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), and we encourage you to consider becoming a TAT-trained company or partner.

While the realities of human trafficking in Canada are heinous, professional drivers are uniquely positioned to disrupt this crime. You can help combat human trafficking by:

Become a TAT Trained Company: Add the Truckers Against Trafficking training video to your learning management system or send your drivers to the TAT Training Portal to become TAT Trained. You can request a digital file of the video or physical DVD from info@truckersagainsttrafficking.org.

Get informed: Download the Truckers Against Trafficking appand request a wallet card and window decal at info@truckersagainsttrafficking.org.

Distribute Materials: Order materials in English or French Canadian, from Truckers Against Trafficking and hang posters and distribute training materials to your network.

More Ways to Get Involved

There are several ways to help combat human trafficking.

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