FRANKFORT — In conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Division of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement announced its participation in the national five-day Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative (HTAI), scheduled for Jan. 8-12.
The purpose is to raise awareness and educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers and the public about the crime of human trafficking, the signs to look for and what to do if you suspect someone is being trafficked.
Human trafficking, a crime impacting people of all ages and backgrounds, involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through force, fraud or deception for profit.
CVSA is working with Truckers Against Trafficking to distribute wallet cards, posters and window decals.
“We are committed to using enforcement operations and resources to combat human trafficking,” said Douglas. “We aim to raise awareness, educate the public, and contribute to the broader efforts in eradicating this appalling crime.”
Throughout the five-day HTAI, KSP will actively document its human trafficking awareness and outreach efforts, contributing valuable data to the broader Alliance initiative. The results, to be released in the summer of 2024, will showcase the collective impact of these initiatives in the fight against human trafficking. To view the results from 2023, visit the CVSA website.
Douglas says part of KSP’s ongoing commitment to human trafficking awareness includes its mobile substance abuse trailer, which features informative displays about the dangers involving this crime.
Recently, KSP hosted a “Human Trafficking Awareness Slogan Contest.” Citizens were encouraged to submit original slogans promoting human trafficking awareness. The winning slogan was “Human Trafficking: Rural, Urban, Global Problem,” submitted by Michael Crabbe of Independence, and will be printed on bracelets and provided to citizens who visit the mobile substance abuse trailer in 2024.
The Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is part of CVSA’s Human Trafficking Prevention Program. The program seeks to reduce human trafficking throughout North America through coordinated enforcement and investigative and educational awareness measures within the commercial motor vehicle industry.
