Be aware of signs of human trafficking in January and throughout the year
JEFFERSON CITY—January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, marking the anniversary of the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The Missouri Department of Transportation works with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and local law enforcement to combat human trafficking. Kidnapping in the Show-Me State.
“Human trafficking is a growing concern in Missouri, especially along interstate corridors,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. “This unites the efforts of everyone in the transport sector in combating this rapidly expanding criminal enterprise.”
In 2018, Director McKenna signed the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Pledge, committing MoDOT to provide specialized training to employees on common indicators of human trafficking and how to report potential cases while raising public awareness of human trafficking issues affecting our state and nation.
“MoDOT workers, highway patrol and commercial trucking partners are on the front lines when it comes to fighting this heinous crime,” McKenna said. “It is imperative that we continue to educate everyone on ways to recognize the signs of human trafficking and know how to report suspicious activity when they are working and traveling through one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs.”
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 240 cases of human trafficking were reported in Missouri in 2021. MoDOT has provided public information on human trafficking and continues to train staff on common indicators of human trafficking and how to report potential cases.
Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s hotline at 1-888-373-7888 if you suspect that someone is ineligible for commercial sex, domestic work, farm work, or other activity. Or text BeFree (233733). Information is available online at the Human Trafficking Hotline. org.
For more information on MoDOT’s efforts to “Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking,” visit modot .org/fighthumantrafficking or contact the MoDOT Office of Human Resources at 573-5267644.