VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 5 | MAY 2023

Police allege more than 20 vulnerable women targeted 

in ‘extreme’ human trafficking case

Investigators believe more than 20 vulnerable women in Edmonton were exploited by a human trafficking suspect who is alleged to have targeted victims dealing with addictions and experiencing homelessness. 

Sex traffickers used America’s favorite family safety app to control victims

Earlier this year, an 18-year-old Amazon employee brought a tip to the San Diego Police Department: prior to working for the tech giant, she had been forced into sex work when she was 17. Her alleged trafficker told her that she had to work six days a week and earn at least $1,000 a day, according to a search warrant obtained by Forbes. Text messages also showed her alleged trafficker forced her to do something else: install an app called Life360 on her phone.

‘They are going to take the most vulnerable’/How to spot human trafficking

North Carolina ranks in the top 10 for reports of human trafficking. Most victims are women, and about a third of them are underage. A Greensboro nonprofit called Abolition NC is saving people by reaching students and educators. Abolition NC has programs in 21 North Carolina school districts.

Beth Jacobs, beloved colleague, passes away April 14

Survivor-advocate Beth Jacobs, a TAT field trainer since 2014, passed away unexpectedly on April 14, leaving TAT staff in mourning for a beloved colleague. 

"Beth was a loyal, passionate and dedicated leader in the anti-trafficking movement,” shared Esther Goetsch, TAT executive director. “She blazed a trail for thousands of survivors of human trafficking and left lasting change through her legislative work. She impacted thousands through the audiences she spoke to over the years, and I personally learned so much from her as we traveled across the country together for many years. She never met a stranger, was generous with her love and laughter, and never stopped fighting for victims and survivors of human trafficking. She will be greatly missed by me, her family, friends and the entire TAT team."

A survivor of child sex trafficking, Jacobs had a bachelor’s degree in social work, and, in addition to her work for TAT, was known for her work with other victims, including providing group facilitation and curriculum writing. In St. Paul, Minnesota, she spearheaded the Offenders’ Prostitution Program (John school) and then was a field instructor for social work students at Winona State University and Alfred Adler Institute. 

After moving to Arizona, Jacobs started an NGO in Tucson called Willow Way to help sexually exploited people find their way from victim to survivor to leader. She also collaborated with CODAC Behavioral Health, Our Family, Ward 6, Pima county courts, and Tucson police to create Project Raise, an alternative-to-jail program for prostituted/sex trafficked people. In addition to these efforts, she provided weekly educational/support groups for victims trying to escape prostitution/sex trafficking in Tucson.

To help with changes in state legislation, Jacobs worked with Arizona legislators, and, in the 2015 legislative session, her efforts visiting legislators, providing expert testimony and educating the community about human trafficking laws needing updating resulted in the passage of HB2553.

Jacobs was a policy chair for National Survivor Network (NSN) and served as a consultant to ATEST, a collaborative of the 14 largest anti-trafficking agencies in the nation. In 2014, she participated in two legislative briefings in Washington D.C. and also spoke in Cali, Colombia at the first International Meeting for Human Trafficking Survivors. Additionally, she participated on a panel of experts at the New Hampshire School of Law and conducted workshops and educational presentations throughout the country, speaking as a subject matter expert. 

A sought-after community trainer on the issue of prostitution/sex trafficking and skilled at establishing collaborative efforts to accomplish common goals needed within the community, Jacobs personally believed her greatest accomplishment was moving from victim to survivor to leader.

At TAT, Jacobs presented at Coalition Builds and some law enforcement trainings, consulted on materials creation, served on survivor focus groups, presented at community speaking events, truck stop management events, corporate events, and wherever else she was needed. Through survivors she was working with or was friends with, she helped TAT secure several of the artifacts for the Freedom Drivers Project, most notably the brothel medallion. She also introduced multiple survivors to TAT, who have served as consultants, friends and supporters.

At the time of her death, she was working with Polaris and Equitas on best practices for prosecutors working on human trafficking cases as well as survivors' needs post-exit, including vacating of records. Jacobs created the first national survivor survey attempting to gather information on how arrests impacted the lives of survivors post-exit. 

Arizona law enforcement training helps Arizona fulfill

IOWA MVE requirements

TAT Field Trainer Kelley Alsobrook interacted with officers following her presentation in Arizona.

Two TAT law enforcement trainings, conducted by TAT Deputy Director Kylla Lanier and TAT Field Trainer Kelley Alsobrook, helped Arizona move from implementing two elements of the Iowa MVE Model to full implementation. The trainings were attended by 83 officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, ADOT and other local agencies, including members of Arizona’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Taskforce (CVETF).

At the end of 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey formed CVETF as a collaboration of efforts between the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Department of Transportation (ADOT) to enhance officer safety and increase efficiency of personnel and operational consistency in commercial vehicle enforcement and inspections in Arizona and to provide better customer service. Their mission intrinsically includes fighting human trafficking.

“This year, I have been inundated with the Arizona CVETF's requests for materials, outreach within the commercial vehicle industry and passion to combat human trafficking,” emphasized Lanier. “They have been open to all our pathways for engagement, and adopting all six elements of the Iowa MVE Model is going to saturate the bus and truck industries in their state with these life-saving materials. It has been encouraging and such a joy to work with them.”

Sgt. Steven Sekrecki of the CVETF said, "The TAT training provided an excellent, new perspective on identifying, interacting and helping victims of human trafficking. The amazing statistics and real-life story of Mrs. Alsobrook, who was trafficked not once but three times, with law enforcement interaction interwoven, brought tears to my eyes and heart. Mrs. Alsobrook's heart-wrenching story gave me new insight on how to provide assistance to one of our most vulnerable populations and solidified why I became a law enforcement officer. “

He continued, “We have historically partnered with TAT by distributing posters, wallet cards and window decals at travel centers throughout the state of Arizona and during commercial vehicle inspections. We have made personal contacts with travel center managers, ensuring everyone we are only a phone call away to provide the immediate assistance to a human trafficking victim. In fact, since the training one week ago, we coordinated a wellness fair at a local school in Casa Grande, provided educational information on human trafficking and handed out 100 Busing on the Lookout cards to community residents, school administrators, mental health professionals and NFL legend Nick Lowery. We can all do our part to combat human trafficking by making the call when it is most critical."

Transportation Intermediaries Association Conference

provides TAT with connections and a surprise

In mid-April, TAT participated in the Transportation Intermediaries Association’s (TIA) Capital Ideas conference in Orlando, Florida. TIA provides leadership and direction for the 3PL industry and professionals to advance professional standards and business practices for the overall image and credibility of the profession and its ultimate contribution to society. 

With over 1900 people in attendance representing mostly brokers and others in logistics, TAT networked and used a three-pronged approach to spread its anti-trafficking awareness message: the Freedom Drivers Project (FDP) mobile exhibit, a booth in the expo hall and a breakout speaking session. 

Before the conference opened, the FDP welcomed Loews Resort hospitality team members for a private tour opportunity and heard from resort leaders about how serious their team takes their hospitality-focused, anti-trafficking awareness training. The ability to walk through the trailer and experience the survivor artifacts illuminated new understanding of the crime of trafficking and how it could happen to anyone. 

Chris Moreno, TAT Industry Training Program specialist, shared information on TAT programs and training at the TAT booth

In the opening session of the conference, TIA President and CEO Anne Reinke presented a surprise donation check of $10,000 to Laura Cyrus, TAT’s senior director of Industry Training and Outreach, and reiterated TIA’s commitment to TAT’s work. Reinke commented, “We are proud of our relationship with Truckers Against Trafficking, and grateful that they brought their team and the Freedom Drivers Project trailer to help teach our attendees the signs of human trafficking and corrective actions to take. TAT is committed to eradicating the scourge of human trafficking, and we are happy to play a part in their mission.”

The conference provided the opportunity for TAT staff to connect with several current corporate sponsors and a TAT Advisory Council member as well as conduct a private FDP tour for Three Sixteen Kegler Fund leaders, the charitable foundation providing TAT’s May matching grant (see story below). Brandy Belton, FDP director, also provided an interview to Orlando Business TV, speaking about TAT’s mission and programs. 

Far right, Laura Cyrus, TAT’s senior director of Industry Training and Outreach, provided a tour of the FDP for Doug and Zorely Kegler, founders of the Three Sixteen Kegler Fund.

Through connections made over the course of the conference, TAT now has the opportunity to secure several new corporate sponsors, deliver virtual human trafficking 101 training to back-office teams at a handful of brokerages and help several private fleets begin standard TAT training for drivers. 

“We appreciate TIA’s continued effort to help spread anti-trafficking awareness within their niche industry,” Cyrus offered. “We’re so grateful to them for comping space for TAT at the event and highlighting our message. It was an unexpected surprise to receive the additional donation! Thank you to the entire TIA staff and board for standing alongside us in this work. We hope more 3PLs will begin leveraging their relationships with carriers in their network to make introductions to TAT. Whether that looks like a short blurb on a rate confirmation sheet, including info on TAT on their blog or website, including a link to TAT training on an app or website, or working to train their corporate office teams on the reality of human trafficking and how their work perfectly aligns with the efforts of TAT, we look forward to developing relationships we made at this Capital Ideas conference and beyond!”

TAT Board of Directors elects new member

The Truckers Against Trafficking Board of Directors has elected Sarah Rajtik, MBA, as a new board member. Rajtik is the executive vice president of Human Resources, Operations and Industry Affairs at the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the nation’s leading organization representing the interests of the trucking industry. During her tenure at ATA, she has led their human capital strategy, talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, organizational design, cultural transformation and organizational operations. In January this year, she began overseeing ATA’s Outreach programs and Industry Affairs portfolios. 

Ratjik specializes in organizational development and realignment, corporate culture development and operational optimization. She brings a strategic perspective to corporate services. Prior to joining ATA in 2017, she supported various businesses ranging from non-profits, consulting firms, start-ups and financial institutions to government contractors. 

Ratjik holds an MBA from Georgetown University and two B.A. degrees in English and Medieval Renaissance studies from Ohio State University. She served on the Dulles Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) Chapter board, SHRM National Young Professionals (YP) Committee, Leadership Arlington's YP Committee and is an alumnus of Dulles/NOVA Mentorship Program. In 2011, she founded and led The SHRM Washington D.C. YP Network until 2013. 

Please help TAT meet a May matching grant goal!

The Three Sixteen Kegler Fund has offered TAT a matching grant of $20,000! We have two weeks, May 1-14, to raise the money. All new individual donors, corporate sponsors, or new or increased gifts will help TAT reach its goal. Click on the graphic below to make your donation and help us reach our goal!  

The Three Sixteen Kegler Fund invests in charities that share their same core values and that give back to the community and making positive changes in the world. 

May 4-6 - International Peace Conference, Birmingham, AL

May 5 - Red Dress Day Lunch and Learn, TC Energy, virtual

May 6 - Massachusetts School Bus Driver Safety Competition, Fall River, MA

May 9 - Canadian Urban Transit Association Spring Summit, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

May 10 - Fleet Safety Council meeting, Windsor Chapter, Windsor, Ontario, virtual

May 15-17 - Upshift Live, Amazon, Austin, TX 

May 15-17 - Aon Houston market, human trafficking training webinar

May 17-18 - UPS Canada, Montreal, Quebec

May 21-23 - National Judicial College human trafficking training, Reno, NV

May 23 - Day & Ross, Heartland, New Brunswick

May 24 - New Brunswick Coalition Build, Moncton, New Brunswick

DIAMOND

In memory of Alexandra Lynn

GOLD

Anne and Merlin Namuth, Bob Paris, Andy and Karin Larsen, Jonathan and Jill Lim

SILVER

Scott and Terry Koch

BRONZE

Grinnell Family, Mike Poirier, Anna McCoy, Doug and Diane Hockersmith

COPPER

Patti Gillette, Linda Burtwistle, Don Blake, Scott Perry, Dan and Emily Dykstra, Michael Nelson, Jacqueline Daves Isser, Charlton and Laura Wimberly, Judith Ridgley, Lou and Rhonda Leeburg, Laura Rinas, Megan Farnsworth, Angie Fuessel, Nicole Siegler, Chris Dumbrell