WESTLAKE, Ohio -- As part of its continued support of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), TravelCenters of America LLC will offer information to customers on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Jan. 11.
At the company's participating TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel centers, information will be available to customers about TAT, the fight against human trafficking and how truckers who are visiting travel centers can help. TAT is asking truckers to be aware of the signs of human trafficking and to call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), at (888) 373-7888, if they suspect an incident.
According to the company, it has led the way in support of TAT in the trucking industry. Since May 2011, the company has distributed trafficking education and awareness materials at TA and Petro locations across the country. All employees have been trained on the red flags of human trafficking, the company said.
Between Dec. 7, 2007, and Oct. 30, 2012, 469 calls were received from truckers suspecting trafficking incidents, according to NHTRC, with 200 in 2012 alone. Those 2012 numbers indicate that awareness has increased since TA and Petro began providing support materials, according to the company.
Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TA, said, "With our travel centers situated just off many highway exits, guests at our locations, particularly professional drivers, may be in a unique position to spot potential human-trafficking situations. Drivers simply make a phone call if they see a situation that looks out of the norm; truck drivers are happy to help TAT and NHTRC in their efforts to fight human trafficking."
More information on TAT is available at www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.
TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, has travel centers in 41 states and Canada operating under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers brands. With 243 locations off interstate highway exits, TA and Petro offer customers diesel and gasoline fueling, nearly 500 full- and quick-service restaurants, 24-hour convenience stores and other services.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.