WESTLAKE, Ohio (Jan. 9, 2013) — TravelCenters of America L.L.C. (TA) is continuing its support of the Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) organization by helping to educate patrons at its travel centers nationwide on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Jan. 11.
TA, which operates the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel centers, said that on Jan. 11 its participating locations will offer information to customers about TAT, the fight against human trafficking, and how truckers who are visiting travel centers can help.
The TAT organization has asked truckers to be aware of the signs of human trafficking and to place a call to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), at 1-888-373-7888, if they suspect an incident.
Since May 2011, TA has distributed trafficking education and awareness materials at TA and Petro locations nationwide. Additionally, the company said it has trained its employees on the "red flags" of human trafficking.
According to the NHTRC, between Dec. 7, 2007, and Oct. 30, 2012, 469 calls were received from truckers suspecting trafficking incidents—with more than 200 of those calls received in 2012 alone.
"With our travel centers situated just off many highway exits, guests at our locations, particularly professional drivers, may be in a unique position to spot potential human trafficking situations," said Tom O'Brien, TA's president and CEO. "Drivers simply make a phone call if they see a situation that looks out of the norm; truck drivers are happy to help TAT and NHTRC in their efforts to fight human trafficking."
More information on TAT is available on its website www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.
Westlake-based TA operates 243 travel centers in 41 states and Canada that offer heavy truck maintenance services as well as RoadSquad Connect, the company's round-the-clock emergency roadside service.