Detroit trucking company supplier takes on human trafficking
DETROIT (FOX 2) - An automotive supplier with close links to several commercial trucking companies has partnered with a non-profit to fight human trafficking.
TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org held training Monday with SEG Automotive to train people in the transportation industry. They have a mobile exhibit and are explaining the epidemic and how one trucker saved nine children and arrested 31 suspects in a multi-state trafficking ring.
Laura Cyrus with Truckers Against Trafficking says traffickers will always similar places to get what they want and it's why truckers, who travel across the country and the world, are in a unique position to help.
"We know that traffickers are going to exploit their victims anywhere they can to make money - that includes places like truck stops, hotels, motels, rest areas - even places of business," Cyrus said.
"Human trafficking is a major epidemic both internationally and domestically so right here on the border of the U.S. and Canada with the Ambassador Bridge is the perfect site to have this discussion," SEG Automotive President and CEO Jon Husby said.
Dan McGovern is a trucker committed to combating human trafficking and is among the more than 700,000 truckers who've been trained to spot the signs then call the national human trafficking hotline.
"By doing this hopefully we'll make a change and there will be less of it," McGovern said.
"Slavery today is worse now than it's every been in the world's existence which is an enormous statement - and that's what this crime is - it's modern day slavery," Homeland Security Special Agent Rodney Riggs said.
"There's estimated to be 40 million victims across the world; it's a $150 billion a year criminal enterprise. It's happening in every state in the United States," Cyrus said.
But it's not just the trucking industry that's being trained on this. They're also working the bussing industry, other companies, and the general public to help.
More information can be found at TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org.
It's training that could help everyone spot and stop this dispicable crime.
"There are real ways to help identify and save people's lives. We owe it to our wives, our daughters, our granddaughters to do this," Husby said.