Washington Business Summer 2017 | Washington Business | Page 24

what’s working building a well-trained ‘army’ In 2016, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children estimated that one in six endangered runaways reported to them was likely a sex trafficking victim. Kendis Paris, executive director for TAT, said that the alarming statistics are the reason they have reached out to companies like UPS, Walmart and others as well as schools and law enforcement to offer their free TAT webinar training. “Our goal is to put together the largest transient army we can of eyes and ears for law enforcement,” Paris said. “At any given time, there are more truck drivers out on the road than law enforcement officers.” UPS rolled out the training as a pilot project across 10 states and has successfully trained 1,500 drivers since last December, Clifton said. In addition to scheduling training and material distribution to the remaining 6,500 freight drivers, UPS is in the process of growing that “army” by working through how they will train the company’s local package delivery truck drivers. “It’s just a short webinar training so the driver has an awareness of what the general issue is, look for the signs and know how to contact the proper authorities,” Clifton said. “We don’t want our drivers to intervene physically. Some companies may be worried that their drivers will be at risk, but the TAT specifically gives the drivers a toll-free number to call or text so the experts can follow up on their tips. The tips can be anonymous.” a crime in ‘plain sight’ “Our goal is to put together the largest transient army we can of eyes and ears for law enforcement.” — Kendis Paris, executive director, Truckers Against Trafficking Those being trafficked don’t necessarily identify as “victims,” said Farshad M. Talebi, an assistant attor- ney general for Washington state and the full-time person in the office overseeing human trafficking issues and awareness education efforts. “The victims are often programed to believe that because they are doing something illegal, even the cops are against them,” said Talebi. “So, they’re even more reluctant to seek help.” Despite Washington having the nation’s most stringent anti-trafficking laws, Talebi said that in the greater Seattle area alone, law enforcement has human trafficking red flags how to report • Lack of knowledge of the community and whereabouts • Do not approach traffickers • Restricted or controlled communication (not allowed to speak for themselves) • Call the national, multi-lingual hotline at 1-888-373-7888 • CB radio chatter about “commercial company” or flashing headlights, which is a signal for a “buyer” location • Report via email at [email protected] • Not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport) actionable information for law enforcement • Any acknowledgements that she/he has a pimp and is making a quota • Car color, make and model • Signs of a branded mark or tattoo of trafficker’s name, which is often on the neck • Description of people involved • Text “INFO” or “HELP” to BeFree (233733) • Car license plate • Take a picture if it is safe to do so • Specific time/date of the occurrence • Address and location of suspicious activity 24 association of washington business