CVSA Unveils Results of the 2024 Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has released the findings from this year’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative (HTAI), which saw participation from 51 jurisdictions. Law enforcement agencies and industry professionals from Canada, Mexico and the United States engaged in this significant campaign earlier this year. 

The HTAI is an annual five-day outreach initiative aimed at increasing awareness about human trafficking. Participants, including law enforcement and industry representatives, utilized this opportunity to educate others on the crime, its warning signs and appropriate responses when a victim is identified. 

Participating members submitted detailed reports to CVSA outlining their activities in preparation for and during the initiative. Here are some key actions taken by law enforcement during the campaign: 

– Distributed informational materials on human trafficking to drivers during inspections. 

– Engaged with truck passengers to identify potential signs of trafficking. 

– Shared flyers and wallet cards and conversed with the public at various locations, such as truck stops, city halls, bus and train stations, ports, DMV offices and weigh stations. 

– Featured the human trafficking hotline on digital billboards along roadways. 

– Promoted awareness through social media, including posts with messages, videos and infographics. 

– Included human trafficking information and links in emails sent to new entrants and during compliance reviews. 

– Conducted training sessions on human trafficking awareness and prevention for motor carriers. 

– Issued press releases, organized news conferences and participated in interviews for print and television coverage. 

– Completed online training modules focused on human trafficking. 

– In the U.S., observed Wear Blue Day on January 11 to show support. 

Collaborating with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), CVSA provided training and resources to the motor carrier industry and law enforcement. This year, the initiative saw the distribution of 38,158 wallet cards, 13,510 window decals and 1,603 posters. A total of 334 outreach events and 204 presentations were held. The initiative also generated 692 media contacts and resulted in 107 social media posts. 

Additionally, CVSA partnered with Paramount/CBS to produce public service announcement (PSA) videos featuring a human trafficking survivor, a truck driver and a commercial vehicle enforcement officer. These PSAs, available in both 30-second and extended five-minute formats, aired during streaming television and yielded over 15 million impressions. 

From the announcement of this year’s HTAI on November 15, 2023, through the end of March, CVSA’s Human Trafficking Prevention Program webpages received 20,552 views, highlighting the ongoing commitment to combat human trafficking in the trucking industry.