Begin Main Content Area

Human Trafficking

Although it sounds impossible to believe, human trafficking could be happening in your neighborhood. Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery that occurs in every state and affects thousands of people nationwide.

PennDOT is one of the first transportation agencies in the country to train employees to recognize the signs of a potential trafficking situation and how to report to the authorities. To date, PennDOT has trained 564 driver license and welcome center employees, as well as almost 15,000 transit agency employees in human trafficking awareness. Last year, PennDOT took the USDOT pledge to "Put the Brakes on Human Trafficking" and became a member of the national Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative.

PennDOT developed a course for PennDOT's Bureau of Driver and Vehicle Services. This course provides awareness on the subject of Human Trafficking and the various campaigns ran by organizations such as Homeland Security "The Blue Campaign," "PA ACT 105" and "Truckers Against Trafficking." These organizations and many others show us how we can make a difference in the fight against Human Trafficking.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) is a critical resource in the PennDOT training. The National Hotline serves victims and survivors nationwide with a variety of support services. They also receive tips and alert law enforcement to potential trafficking situations. According to hotline data, 199 human trafficking cases have been reported in Pennsylvania in 2018 alone.

To learn more about how to spot the signs of trafficking and how to report to the authorities, check out resources from our partners below:

USDOT Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking
Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Truckers Against Trafficking
The Polaris Project
CSE Institute at Villanova University

What is Human Trafficking?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has a Blue Campaign which helps us bring awareness to this crime. More information can be found at www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign.

Truckers Against Trafficking

Truckers Against Trafficking is a nonprofit organization that trains truck drivers to recognize and report instances of human trafficking.

Blue Campaign (PSA) - Neighborhood Watch

Human trafficking happens in cities, suburbs, and rural areas across the United States. Watch Blue Campaign’s new public service announcement (PSA), Neighborhood Watch, to learn more about labor trafficking and how to recognize and report the crime in you

PennDOT and Safety Partner representatives discuss Human Trafficking

Emma Lowe, Special Assistant to the PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards, and Shea M. Rhodes, Co-Founder and Director of the CSE Institute at Villanova University, discuss Human Trafficking and how the transportation industry can help.