The Council of State Governments (CSG) is launching a new project on public transit safety with a focus on human trafficking. Funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Safety Awareness on Public Transit project will be centered around a virtual learning seminar for transportation industry stakeholders to discuss policy solutions and best practices for raising awareness about safety issues and human trafficking on public transit.
The Safety Awareness on Public Transit project will convene policymakers and subject matter experts in transit security to propose effective solutions for fighting human trafficking in public transit. While the U. S. does not specify that transportation must occur for human trafficking to take place — it is generally defined by the presence of exploitation — victims of trafficking can be better isolated from family and support systems when victims are physically moved long distances. Traffickers use multiple methods of transportation to capture and move their victims, but public transportation is most often used due to the anonymity it offers. Of 104 survivors who participated in a Polaris study, a plurality were trafficked by either public bus, subway or long-distance bus. Many victims are initially recruited at transportation hubs. In another survey, 54% of survivors felt transportation was a barrier to being able to leave their situation. Many need assistance — possibly in the form of donated credits, points, or vouchers — in order to use public transportation to return to their homes, shelters, and/or job interviews.
While it would be potentially dangerous to have transit personnel intervene in an active human trafficking situation, policy solutions can include requiring transit agencies to establish travel vouchers or points donation, post prevention-based materials, train staff to recognize signs of human trafficking, develop trauma-informed response protocol and display the National Human Trafficking Hotline number. Existing efforts, such as those in Wisconsin, often focus on raising public awareness of resources (such as hotline information) through social media, and training Department of Motor Vehicle and Department of Transportation employees. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Transportation has a map of victim services available on its website.
CSG will invite policymakers and stakeholders in the field of transportation safety to engage in a two-day virtual learning seminar to share strategies for safety awareness in public transportation, including initiatives related to human trafficking. After the virtual convening, a report will be written, summarizing the topics discussed at the seminar. Throughout the project, a series of blogs and articles will raise awareness and share policy solutions. By increasing awareness of the use of public transportation in human trafficking and collaborating to find and implement strategic solutions, policymakers and key stakeholders can do their part to increase safety on public transit. While transportation safety is a multifaceted issue, a focal point of the solution should be the role and responsibility of those in the transportation industry.
“We are thrilled to start this new project at CSG,” said Elizabeth Whitehouse, Chief Public Policy Officer at CSG. “This is an important issue for many states, and we are honored to be a part of facilitating a collaborative environment where state leaders can work toward solutions together.”
If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Sydney Blodgett at [email protected].