You can help combat modern day slavery – The Rear View Mirror, TRVM

Ellen Voie

Ellen Voie (Voy-a) is an internationally recognized speaker and authority on gender diversity and inclusion for women working in non-traditional careers in transportation. She has been invited to speak to audiences in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, France, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to being a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States. Voie founded the Women In Trucking Association in 2007, and currently serves as the nonprofit organization’s President & CEO. The Women In Trucking Association was formed to promote the employment of women in the trucking industry, to remove obstacles that might keep them from succeeding, and to celebrate the successes of its members. Voie also currently serves on the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) to provide recommendations and advice to the FMCSA on motor carrier safety programs and motor carrier safety regulations. Voie’s background in the trucking industry began as the assistant and later Traffic Manager for a steel fabricating plant in the upper Midwest. She then worked as a dispatcher for a grain hauling carrier before becoming co-owner of a small fleet. After starting a family, she used her background to become a freelance transportation consultant to carriers in Wisconsin, licensing and permitting trucks for more than 16 years. Voie also served as the Executive Director of Trucker Buddy International, Inc., a pen pal program between professional drivers and elementary students. Voie holds a Master’s in Communication degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, where she completed her Thesis research on the complex identities of women married to professional drivers. She also hold a degree in Traffic and Transportation Management from LaSalle Extension University. Voie has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential from the American Society of Association Executives, the leading authority in association management.

Columnists,Ellen Voie |

August 4, 2022

When Liz was six years old her mother sold her into the sex industry with the advice to “smile, look pretty, and do whatever he says if you love me.” For the rest of her childhood, she endured constant abuse until she was able to escape.

Now, Liz shares her story as the Field Trainer at Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), which is a resource to combat human trafficking in the trucking industry. TAT has a presence in both the United States and Canada and offers numerous ways to educate those of us who work in transportation careers.

Trafficking can include victims forced to engage in sex acts for money or using them as forced labor through fraud or coercion. Domestic servitude involved working and living in the home of the perpetrator who confiscate documentation to prevent the individual from leaving. In other words, human trafficking is modern day slavery.

Drivers can become certified to become knowledgeable in recognizing signs of human trafficking and where to report it. Carriers can also create programs to educate their entire organization on ways to counter this growing problem. TAT has programs for law enforcement as well and has extended their program to include the bus industry and has created a coalition of convenience stores so they can play a role in recognizing this crime.

If attend a trade show or event where the Freedom Drivers Project is present, take a moment to walk through the mobile exhibit to help educate yourself on the extent of this tragic societal problem. A few years ago, Women In Trucking Association partnered with TAT through our “lip balm” project. We trained female drivers to spot potential victims in truck stop rest rooms and hand them a lip balm with information to find a way out of the situation.

Human traffickers use all modes of transportation to move their victims and every one of us should be aware of the signs of a trafficking situation. A quick way to keep the information handy is to download their app or keep a card in your wallet with the basic information. The hotline numbers are 888-373-7888 in the US and 833-900-1010 in Canada.

All US commercial drivers should be aware that they are committing a felony if they use their commercial motor vehicle involving any sex trafficking and their CDL will be revoked.

TAT advises drivers to call 911 if they see a crime in progress but use the TAT lines if there is evidence of human trafficking. How can you tell if this is the case? The TAT wallet card lists red flags as someone who doesn’t seem to know where they are or does not have any identification. Another sign is that the person seems to be controlled or is being watched or followed. A van or RV parked at a truck stop with people coming and going could be a trafficking operation.

If you are near

the victim and see signs of bruising or branding, such as tattoos, that could be the sign of human trafficking as well. If the person mentions the word quota or calls someone a pimp or daddy, be aware. In a recent interview, Liz said to also look for inappropriate clothing, such a short dress in colder weather. The DOT initiative also mentions being aware of a scripted or rehearsed response when approached.

In 2018 US DOT Secretary Elaine Chao created a human trafficking awareness initiative to address this crime in all modes of transportation. According to the US DOT, human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes affecting over 25 million people around the globe. Fortunately, the trucking industry is serious about combatting this crime. TAT has trained over 1.3 million people to identify and report the abuse.

You can be a part of the solution. Visit www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org and get involved.

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