ECPAT-USA, U.S. Department of Transportation Pledge to End Human Trafficking

This month, ECPAT-USA signed onto the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative to bring together stakeholders in the transportation and travel industry to fight trafficking and exploitation. As a partner in this campaign, ECPAT-USA has committed to educating employees, raising awareness and measuring our collective impact in the fight to protect children across the country.

Launched in 2012, DOT’s TLAHT initiative works with public and private sector stakeholders to empower transportation employees and the traveling public to recognize and report possible instances of human trafficking. TLAHT’s five focus areas include industry leadership, industry training, and education, policy development, public awareness, and information-sharing and analysis. DOT calls on transportation leaders to sign the TLAHT pledge, issue a leadership statement, train employees, and raise public awareness.

Last October, ECPAT-USA’s Director of Private Sector Engagement, Michelle Guelbart, was appointed to the United States Department of Transportation’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. Guelbart was one of 15 individuals to serve on the committee that provided information, advice, and recommendations to the DOT on matters relating to the intersection of human trafficking and transportation.

“Through our decades-long work with the private sector and with government officials, we have seen the progress that can be made when industries unite to work together toward one common goal: protecting every child’s right to grow up free from the fear of exploitation,” said Guelbart. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation on their Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking.”

“Under Secretary Chao’s leadership, the DOT is empowering transportation organizations, employees and the traveling public with the knowledge to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking. This TLAHT partnership is an impressive step forward, one that highlights the dedication of this community in taking a stand to end human trafficking. It will make a difference in many lives,” said David Short, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.

To learn more about our work with the private sector click here.