As part of the partnership, Love's has incorporated a video produced by TAT into its training program for 10,000 employees working at more than 300 travel stops nationwide. The video helps employees identify trafficking situations, and it details the steps to alert proper authorities.
Love's said it also worked with TAT to print and distribute posters with the hotline help number to be displayed in all of its locations.
Jenny Love Meyer, vice president of communications for Love's, said with much of the company's business taking place along interstate highways, “we have a unique advantage to help Truckers Against Trafficking. It's our hope that by conveying the message to professional drivers and training our employees to recognize these situations, we can truly make a difference.”
Pocket Card Networks, one of Love's vendors, also is showing support by donating advertising space and distribution for the TAT wallet-sized information cards on its card racks inside Love's Travel Stops geared to professional truck drivers.
According to Love's, TAT “continually seeks additional ways for the trucking industry to get involved in the fight against human trafficking. The organization also builds coalitions between state and local law enforcement, anti-trafficking organizations and general managers of travel stops to create a tight bond between people who have the skills to identify and assist in stopping human trafficking along our nation's interstate highways.”
Oklahoma City-based Love's was founded in 1964 by Tom Love. The family-owned and operated firm operates more than 300 locations and 180 Love's Truck Tire Care centers in 39 states.
TAT is a 501(c) 3 organization that “exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking and travel plaza industry to combat domestic sex trafficking.”
The national hotline to call if human trafficking is suspected is 1-888-373-7888. More information about TAT is available on its website.
