Stop Child Sex Trafficking at the Intersection of Public Transportation
In today’s fast-moving world, public transportation is an essential part of our daily lives. In 2019 alone, people across the United States took nearly 10 billion trips on public transportation according to the American Public Transportation Association. Public transit is also a common method child traffickers use to move their victims. Knowing this, we must be aware of how this access can be exploited by putting our most vulnerable population at risk: our children.
According to the Polaris Project – detailed in their report "A Roadmap for Systems and Industries to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking,” 1 in 3 human trafficking survivors report utilizing public buses, and 1 in 5 used subways or metros while being trafficked.
Child sex trafficking is a disturbing reality but there are ways you can take to disrupt it.
Our newly launched, federally-funded campaign, Transit Against Child Trafficking (TACT) is dedicated to spreading awareness and sharing resources on child trafficking prevention at the intersection of public transit. The pilot campaign was designed in collaboration with PACT’s Survivors' Council members, research experts, and local transit partners. By educating ourselves and our community, we can recognize the signs and take action to protect our children.
How can you disrupt child trafficking as a transit rider?
Know the signs of child sex trafficking. This means being aware of your surroundings and noting when a child is:
Avoiding eye contact
Easily startled or afraid
Providing scripted responses or not being allowed to speak for themselves
Being yelled at or intimidated
Having identifying marks or tattoos on their body as a way for traffickers to control them
Report instances of suspicious activity while riding on public transit via the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text at BEFREE. Never directly intervene.
We can make a difference and disrupt child trafficking. Our vigilance and commitment to protecting children in our communities will create a safer environment for everyone.
Learn more on our campaign’s webpage and keep up with us on social media by following the hashtag #KnowTheSigns.