Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast

Empowering Awareness: Truckers Against Trafficking with Heather Fry

• John Farquhar & Chris Harris • Season 2 • Episode 83

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In this episode of the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast, hosts John and Chris welcome Heather Fry from Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). Heather discusses the rebranding of TAT and their expansion into various industries including the bus and energy sectors. She sheds light on the issue of human trafficking, its various forms, and the different places where it occurs such as truck stops, rest areas, and casinos. The conversation covers statistics on human trafficking victims, the psychological manipulation involved, and the crucial role of truck drivers and other industry personnel in recognizing and reporting signs of trafficking. Heather highlights TAT's training programs and resources, including free training videos, wallet cards, and a newly launched smartphone app, encouraging industry-wide engagement. The episode emphasizes the importance of awareness and urges listeners to take action by getting trained and spreading the word.

TAT's Heather Fry can be contacted at:

Heather Fry
Director of Industry Training
hfry@tatnonprofit.org

National Human Trafficking Hotlines                               
CAN: 1-833-900-1010  
US: 1-888-3737-888   
MEX: 01800-5533-000

Website: https://tatnonprofit.org/

TAT App: https://tatnonprofit.org/tat-app/


Your Hosts:
John Farquhar
Summit Risk Solutions: summitrisksolutions.ca
1 226 802-2762
John@summitrisksolutions.ca


Chris Harris
Safety Dawg Inc: safetydawg.com
Chris@SafetyDawg.com
1 905 973 7056




00:00 Introduction to Truckers Against Trafficking
00:27 Understanding T.A.T. and Its Mission
02:33 Exploring the Realities of Human Trafficking
04:45 Identifying and Reporting Human Trafficking
12:40 T.A.T.'s Resources and Training Programs
19:46 Engaging with T.A.T. and Making a Difference
25:02 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Keeping it Safety Dawg Simple!
#trucksafety #truckinsurance #truckpodcast

Do you need a "Truck Driver Safety Policy?" Get it today! https://safetydawg.com/policy

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

This week on the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast, John and I welcome Heather Fry from Truckers Against Trafficking. It is an episode that I really believe you need to listen to or watch because this is something we can all do something about. Heather is next. Welcome to the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast. Hey, Heather is here from T. A. T. and T. A. T. What is T. A. T.? I've never heard of T. A. T. before. That's a great question. Heather, what's T. A. T.?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yes, T. A. T., also known as Truckers Against Trafficking, um, but we have recently rebranded and we're going by T. A. T. because we, um, have expanded, uh, not just within the trucking, uh, community, but we're also in the bus and the energy, uh, industry. And, uh, we also train up law enforcement and, uh, work at, um, at the government level as well. So we, um, we're more than just truckers against trafficking, but our roots are with the trucking community. My heart is with the trucking community. So, um, yes, but we are T. A. T.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Awesome. That's great to hear the expansion. That's a, that's phenomenal.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Yeah, because. I never thought of it, but obviously buses and stuff, they also, uh, go into a lot of the same areas that the trucks go to and, um, yeah, I'm sorry, around here we have a few casinos and of course, buses go to casinos and I mean, I imagine that there is trafficking at casinos. I don't know, but. Would that be a logical place for it to happen?

Heather Fry, TAT:

It actually is a logical place for it to happen. Anywhere you have a large gathering of people, and men in particular, traffickers are going to exploit those places of business. And so you will see trafficking happening in casinos. TAT actually has a toolkit specifically for casino personnel. We have thought about that and we are, um, you know, as we say, we're building up a mobile army of eyes and ears out on the road. And we're looking at all of the places that we can get more people trained to spot signs of human trafficking and know how to report it. So we're trying to cover all of the bases.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

That's awesome. Let's step back a little bit maybe. And can you tell us what is human trafficking?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah, so the, the, the general definition is the exploitation of human beings through force, fraud, or coercion for the purposes of either commercial sex or forced labor. And it always involves a third party, somebody who is in control and making a profit off of another person.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Yeah, well, I was going to say, cause you know, it's unfortunate because it's not, I think a lot of people kind of, uh, stereotyped it as, Oh, it's just girls. It's just girls. But no, like, if you're talking about labor, you could be getting into young kids, teens, uh, you know, uh, homeless people, kids on the street, stuff like that.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah, so Statistics Canada reported that 96 percent of the survivors that they identified were female, but it does actually happen with boys and men as well. But just to a larger extent, it happens to the female population. And one really sad reality is that That, um, the indigenous women and girls in Canada are extremely vulnerable and, uh, they, uh, make up 50% of the trafficked folks there. So, yeah.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Wow. And they're, they're nowhere near 50% of the population, so that huge,

Heather Fry, TAT:

yeah. Just 4%.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Yeah. Geez. So that, that's, and as you already alluded to. It's largely men who are the users of the trafficking.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah, yeah. Overwhelmingly, uh, white men are, are the ones who are, um, yeah. The traffickers can be anybody, but the ones who are purchasing commercial snacks are, um, typically white men.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

See, that just speaks so wrong of us. But

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

it's

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

true.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Yeah, I know it's sad. It's so, so where, where are some of these places? Like you touched on, uh, some of the people that you're doing training with, like truckers obviously is a big, big area. So we assume truck stops probably, but you'd mentioned casinos. What other kinds of locations, uh, would, would some of this be going on at?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah. Oftentimes, um, I would say the, you know, the, the major places where truck drivers are going to see it, especially over the road drivers, they'll see it at truck stops, rest areas, hotels, and motels. Um, and in the context of maybe a local driver, a local driver may see it at, um, you know, bus terminals, bus stops, um, places of business. And, um, even, uh, um, In residential areas, you know, we, uh, we know that it's happening right inside of homes. In fact, we, we have a, um, a survivor who works, uh, with me at TAT. She's, uh, a, uh, training specialist and the survivor leader, and she was trafficked out of her own home from the ages of 6 to 18 by her mother. And so there are There are signs that we, um, we'd like to educate people about in the context of, you know, if you're an over the road driver, you could potentially see these signs here. If you're in the context of a community, this is what it might look like. If you are a mover or an in home delivery, um, employee, this is what you might want to look for. So, um, yeah, definitely happening, um, in those areas that I just mentioned. We talked about casinos. Large sporting events, large conventions, uh, boom towns in the energy industry, you know, anywhere, like I said, group of men gathered together, traffickers are going to use that opportunity. They're going to go anywhere. They think they can make some money.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Right., Heather Fry, TAT: on the trafficking on educating about the trafficker, um, rather than on a purchaser, so, um, you know, a trafficker. Or can be a man or a woman. Uh, it could be somebody who is upper middle class. It could be somebody that really looks like a good guy, um, a friendly person. And so it's real important that we, um, let the young people, our children in our lives, know that a bad guy isn't always going to look like a bad guy. Um, because. Traffickers literally can be anyone.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Well, especially, I hate to say it, but especially like you said that one example of her mother. You know, was trafficking around. Oh my god, talk about bad parenting.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah, so another statistic that came from Statistics Canada is that 91 percent of survivors knew they're traffickers. A lot of times, um, and any, it seems like almost every time I have a conversation with somebody about human trafficking, somebody will bring up the, the concept of kidnapping. And while kidnapping does constitute a small percentage of human trafficking, What's more typical is that, uh, somebody has been groomed by somebody that they know, um, and so because it, um, it doesn't look like, you know, kidnapping and somebody being chained and shackled in a basement, um, We can oftentimes miss some of the signs to look for. And, uh, when I gave the definition, we talked about force, fraud, and coercion. Force, you know, of course you can think of, of force, what that might be and fraud as any kind of false promise. Um, but when we think about commer um, coercion, coercion is a, uh, a psychological manipulation that is very powerful and, um, controls these, um, These victims, it, uh, keeps them compliant. It number, first of all, it lures them in. Second of all, it keeps them compliant. And third of all, it can even make them look like they are active participants in their own exploitation. So, and coercion would be things, um, For example, threats to a person's safety or to another, a loved one's safety. And it could even look like threats to, um, your own reputation. So, that would be something like, If you don't do what I tell you to do, I'm going to share this video of us having sex with your high school.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Wow!

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

You, just going back to John's comment about the mother, what I expected you to say when you said that person was being trafficked, trafficked, I can't even say it, right out of their home, was the second husband, uh, what do you call it, stepfather, is what I expected you to say rather than the person's mother. It's just, yeah, it's atrocious, but what are, what other examples do you have for us?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Oh, examples of, uh, trafficking.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Yeah, something like, you know, how does, unfortunately, how does a woman get trapped into this? How does that all start?

Heather Fry, TAT:

So, let's think about a situation. Let's use a hypothetical situation that happens all the time. Let's talk about a girl who is Running away from her abusive family. Who's there to meet her? Well, um, a group of new friends who gives her a place to live, some food, love and acceptance and a place in a family structure, a place to belong, right? What can happen then? Is that dialogue can flip from you're part of the family to now you owe us and you're going to have to go out and pay for what we've done and that victim can find herself indebted. And having to, um, to deal with the reality of, um, going out and earning money to get herself out of debt. The issue is she never gets herself out of debt. It's a business model that profits someone else. And perpetually leaves her indebted. And when you add in force, fraud, and coercion, and those threats to just do this one more time, and if you don't I'm going to kill your child, or I'm going to kill you, that makes them They're caught. They're stuck. They can't get out. Um, and like I said, you know, they, they know how they have to behave, what they have to do to get the money and bring it back. And they know the consequences if they don't do exactly what they're told to do. So when you're looking at a person, um, it's difficult to, to tell the difference between somebody who, um, may be out there of their own, Accord or somebody who's being forced to do it. You just can't tell the difference. And so those individuals are human beings and they are in need of at least a second look and maybe a phone call to the authorities to say, Hey, I think I might be seeing human traffic. So, and one thing to note too, you know, any minor that is involved in commercial sex. That deserves an automatic phone call, um, because there is no such thing as a child prostitute.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

No. No.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Geez. Wow. What are some of the services that T. A. T. offers?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah, so what we do, first and foremost, is provide training. All of our training materials are free. We have industry specific, documentary style videos. Um, that, uh, we, uh, Work with companies to integrate into their, um, whatever kind of system they have for, um, training up their employees. So whether it's, um, through an internal learning management system, if it's in person at a, say, a safety We work to find the best way to get that video into their hands so, um, that they can show the video. Uh, we also offer a wallet card, um, that shows the red flags of human trafficking and what to do if you think you might be seeing those red flags. So that's kind of the second piece, um, We want to get a wallet card into the hand of every truck driver that we can in America. Another great tool that we have, um, that we just, uh, rolled out this, within the last year is our new, uh, smartphone app. So we've always had an app, but we, um, We kicked it up a notch and we added some really great features to it. Um, it's, uh, free for iOS and Android and it has all of the tools, all of our training materials. It has the red flags to look for. It has how to report a crime and you can, um, customize the content based on the industry that you're in. And this is the coolest feature of all. I think it has geo location functionality. So I know a lot of the, a lot of the drivers in Canada are cross border driver. And so if they go into the app to make a call, it will automatically direct them to the correct human trafficking hotline to call, so really great tool. And you know, don't we all have our phones within arm's reach at all times? Yeah. So, it's an easy way, you know, right now if you're listening, get out your phone, go to your app store, type in Truckers Against Trafficking and you'll find our app.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

So it is Truckers Against Trafficking as it's listed in the app store.

Heather Fry, TAT:

It might be both at this point. I think we've, we've covered, you know, since we have just recently changed, I think if you typed in TAT, you would find it as well.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Okay, and that's T A T, just for everybody listening, as in Truckers Against Trafficking, T A T. So, do that. Go to the App Store and download, uh, the app, because you, one, you would never know when you might need that phone number, because all of a sudden, you could just stumble on something that, It would be terrible to wish that you had the number with you.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

I was going to say, with regards to the training, I've heard of a number of motor carriers that I've come across in my process of meeting with these folks. And a number of them have talked about, you know, Conducting the training with their drivers, the T. A. T. training, and they've said it's great information and drivers are like gotten their eyes open, like, holy, wow, I didn't even know this was going on, let alone if I did what to look for. So this has been a big help to them.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah. And like I said, they're documentaries. So it's not kind of like a dry classroom learning environment that we're asking them to engage in. And it, um, you know, depending on the video, they're all right around 25 minutes long. So in less than 30 minutes, a person can be tat trained. Yeah. Individuals, um, if you're not part of a company, if you're owner operator, uh, you can go right to our website and take the training for free and choose which training you want to take. So we've made it really easy. Um, so yeah, that, that would be our first way of engaging within the industry. And then past that, we have other ways. We, um, we work with companies to get them engaged. Uh, it could look like in, incorporating an Anti human trafficking policy into their HR manual. Um, it could look like conducting a webinar for their, um, entity. Internal employees, or if they have a carrier network, uh, that they're connected with, we can provide a free webinar. Um, getting an article, you know, we write articles for people to put in their newsletters. So there's a variety of ways that people can engage. And we really customize, uh, the engagement plan to each company and what makes sense for them, for their corporate structure and their culture. And we want to make it. Accessible and meaningful for them.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Sure. Sure. Cool. Oh, good deal. You also spread the word at Places like truck shows because as yeah,

Heather Fry, TAT:

yeah, we

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

recently saw you or I saw you at truck world up here in Canada So do you have any other shows coming up?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Well, I'm working on getting the Getting some invitations to shows and always looking for associations who will bring us in and give us the opportunity to present the TAT message. So yeah, our goal, you know, within Canada, it, well, across North America is to build connections, build relationships, look for invitations and places where we can spread awareness about human trafficking. And, um, you know, so we're, we're always hopeful that not only that industry people will engage, but they'll also make, uh, introductions to others and get us involved with the respective, uh, organizations that they're a part of.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Cool. And that's a large part, hopefully, of what we're doing today is just spreading the word that TAT is available. It's free. It's easy to implement. I mean, I know like John, a number of trucking companies that have just rolled this into their new hire orientation package so that every driver is introduced on day one of being hired by their company.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

You know, yeah, I, you know, I, we talked, uh, touched on it before we started recording was, uh, Fleet Safety Council here in Ontario is a big supporter of TAT, um, you know, and I know we always get the message out, talk about it. We, I know, uh, London Chapter, we just had somebody last, late last year, uh, do a presentation for us via webinar. And it was great because all the people, they were like, how do I get this in my company? You know, and they were small trucking companies and whatnot. And how were they? And it was like great information. Boom. Next thing you know, they're setting something up with a driver's meeting.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah. Yeah. We're so thankful for Fleet Safety Council. Well, for all of our organizations that give us that space and we love to do free webinars. So, um, you know, if there's something that we can do, um, to provide some awareness, um, just let me know.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Well, what are some of the organizations and not necessarily in Canada, because as we were talking, uh, beforehand, you said PMTC here in Canada has been a great supporter. But throughout North America, what are some of the organizations, uh, if somebody was to say, Hey, Heather, I want TAT in my company, who would they be joining?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Uh, well, I guess, you know, I have to mention UPS. They are our driving force sponsor. They're the, the ones. That um, have engaged at a level that we, um, we hope that all would engage and, um, you know, as far as corporate sponsorship, they are, you know, top tier. Um, and then also looking at companies like Berger North and, um, Bridgestone, our Northstar sponsors. So, um, you know, and we have a, I hate to only mention a few because we have tons of great partners. Um, Dan Ross, uh, they were the ones who sponsored TAT's, uh, booth at Truck World. And so, you know, we, we have, uh, we have partners who engage at various levels and we're just thankful for all of them. So. Awesome.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Yeah. And of course, The T. A. T. website, which we'll have a link to in the show notes down below, has all the sponsors right there. And you can take a look to see if I got on board, who am I joining with? Yeah. And it's amazing. How long has T. A. T. been around now? Because it's amazing how many sponsors and associations and everybody that's backing T. A. T.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah. So in March, we hit 15 years. We've been around for a while. We've trained almost 1. 8 million individuals and we entered into Canada in 2019. And so we're looking to see some great growth there as well as the word continues to spread. But Canada has been, I mean, truly doing their part and engaging and we're so thankful for that. Yeah.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Well, one, I think it's a terrible issue that we even have to discuss about it. However, it is real. It happens probably hourly, I would think. The focus is always the victim. Yes, exactly. The women, the boys, the men that are Being trafficked, trafficked did, I can't say that word, are victims, and they're being abused, and they're being coerced, and they're not rewarded financially, of course, um, because somebody else is taking all that benefit. Yeah, it's a sad reality.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Over 50 million people are enslaved in the world today, and it's 150 billion per year profit making criminal activity. Say that again,

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

how many people?

Heather Fry, TAT:

50 million. Uh, yeah. So it's a huge issue and it's happening right underneath our noses and sometimes we just don't know, uh, what to look for. And that's why getting trained is so important and truck drivers in particular, transportation community in particular, um, they are, they're out there, they're on the roads, they are trained. To, um, be vigilant and, uh, they may actually be at those places. And so it's just really important that folks, you know, take 30 minutes out of their day and become TAT trained.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

And again, tell the people how they can become, if their company's not involved. How can an individual decide to get TAT trained again?

Heather Fry, TAT:

So I, you know, we would love to engage at the company level. And so if an individual is watching and wants to get involved, take it, take it up the chain and talk to somebody in leadership and say, Hey, is this something that we can at least get some information on? And then you'd contact me. Um, I'm the person who is in, in, uh, involved at the industry level and connecting with companies, um, and looking at, uh, an engagement path for them. So that's one way. Um, any, uh, individuals can also just go to our website, which is tat nonprofit. org. And, uh, they can take the training for free right from the website.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Wow. Perfect. I think. And of course, Heather, your information, your contact info is in the show notes down below. So if anyone is interested, certainly corporations and trucking companies, reach out to Heather. Um, she'll help assist you and get this all set up. And she set up more than once. It's free.

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

Free, free. Like it's, it's, it's magic to anybody's ears. Free.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

And it's something that I believe is hugely valuable. So, uh, do us all a favor, reach out to Heather. Heather, last word. What, did we cover all the, the main topics that you wanted to address today?

Heather Fry, TAT:

Well, I think I would be remiss if I didn't put the, um, the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline number out there for everybody. And we can get that in the chat. But it is 1 800-900-1010. So, if you think that you are seeing some signs of human trafficking, go ahead and make the call. Um, they can help you ascertain if you're seeing something. They can also call out law enforcement if they think that, uh, that it is suspicious enough, uh, to do so. If you're seeing a crime in progress, call law enforcement, call 911 first, um, and, and get that person some help.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

And if I remember my TAT training, it's been a long time. I should probably redo it, but I'm not asked to intervene. I'm only asked to make the call, which is anonymous if I want them to remain anonymous. Uh, and hopefully, uh, you know. The right people will intervene in the right way. Right.

Heather Fry, TAT:

Yeah. We do not want folks to intervene, uh, or try to go after a trafficker. Uh, we're just asking them to make a simple phone call, pick up the phone, give, um, the person on the other line, whether it's law enforcement or the human trafficking hotline, the information that you're seeing and, um, and then know that you've done all that you can do and law enforcement will take it from there. So.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Let the pros take over, is what it is. Yes, the um, that phone number is in the show notes down below. And of course, it will be on your screen once again if you're watching this. Heather from TAT, Truckers Against Trafficking. Did I say that right? Yes, sir. Okay Because I always forget what

John Farquhar, Summit Risk Solutions:

just don't say traffic it did

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

I have a terrible time, but I don't know. There's some words. Um, double authentication Authentication where I said I can't say that word either. There's certain words and Traffic a did, uh, is one that I trip over as well. It may be funny, but the, the actual situation for the human that's involved is far from humorous. But Heather, thank you so much for coming on the show. I appreciate it and glad to spread the word about T. A. T. Yeah. Thanks for your

Heather Fry, TAT:

time, John. I appreciate it.

Chris Harris, Safety Dawg 1:

Thanks, Heather, for coming on the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast. We appreciate your time very much. For all of the listeners and viewers, leave us a comment. What do you think? Is it something that you can take action on? Has your company already incorporated it? Or is it something that you need help? Reach out to Heather. She will give you a hand. Thanks all. We'll see you next week.

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Chris Harris

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John Farquhar

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