Ohio Launches Human Trafficking Hotline with Partners

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has launched a partnership with TravelCenters of America and Truckers Against Trafficking to enhance awareness of human trafficking and encourage public reporting via a new hotline. This initiative aims to educate truck drivers and motorists on recognizing and reporting signs of trafficking, with bumper stickers displaying the hotline number to be distributed across travel centers. Charles Bernsen, a manager at TravelCenters, shared a personal account of intervening in a trafficking situation, highlighting the effectiveness of the training provided by Truckers Against Trafficking. TravelCenters of America CEO Debi Boffa emphasized their commitment to combat human trafficking, stating that their employees are the 'eyes and ears of the highway.' To date, TAT has trained over 2.9 million individuals across the transportation sector since its inception in 2009. This collaboration aims to create safer communities by empowering drivers to act when they observe suspicious activities.