Learn ways to help end human trafficking
Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that requires a broad, comprehensive approach to combat it, with courts playing an important role as a trusted and authoritative influence within the community.
Our human trafficking awareness course for commercial driver's license (CDL) holders assists state and local courts in joining the effort to end human trafficking. The course trains CDL holders to act as vigilant observers and reporters of this pervasive crime.
Courts can promote the course to commercial drivers interacting with the court system. By leveraging their broad jurisdictional reach, courts can educate a greater number of CDL holders about human trafficking, significantly enhancing efforts to eradicate this pervasive crime.
By understanding the dynamics of human trafficking and taking proactive measures, judges and court personnel can do their part to make a significant difference in the effort to end human trafficking.
Implementation guide & resources for courts
Human trafficking defined
Human trafficking, or modern-day slavery, is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person to engage in commercial sex or labor services against their will.
The U.S. Department of Justice (2023) defines human trafficking as a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion, or if a person under the age of 18 is induced to engage in commercial sex, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.
The two primary forms of human trafficking are sex trafficking and forced labor, also referred to as labor trafficking.
Who are victims?
Human trafficking victims can be anyone, regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, education level, or citizenship, and can occur in any community and affect individuals regardless of their background. Traffickers often target vulnerable populations, including recent immigrants or people facing poverty, substance use issues, or social isolation.
Women and girls of color are especially at risk for sex trafficking, and even children can fall victim.
Who are traffickers?
Traffickers can be anyone (family, acquaintances, or strangers), acting alone or in organized units like brothels, internet prostitution rings, or gangs. They may be assisted by enablers and lure victims with false promises or use force to exploit them for sex or labor, moving them locally, statewide, nationally, or internationally.
Traffickers entice victims with promises of a better life.
Where is this happening?
Human trafficking is hard to track due to underreporting and secrecy. It occurs pervasively in urban (with high transportation access), rural, and tribal areas, exploiting vulnerable individuals.
Human trafficking occurs across many industries, including both sex trafficking (e.g., escort services, brothels) and forced labor (e.g., domestic work, restaurants, agriculture).
With about 8.7 million commercial motor vehicle drivers in the U.S., the CDL Drivers and Courts training course for CDL holders provides an opportunity to reach a significant number of commercial drivers with information to help them detect and report human trafficking.
Derek Felton, Director, NCSC Creative Learning Services
CDL holders training
CDL holders are crucial in combating human trafficking due to their extensive travel, alertness, and familiarity with high-risk locations like rest areas and truck stops. They can serve as frontline defenders by reporting suspicious activities.
Our CDL Drivers and Courts: On the Road to End Human Trafficking course is an opportunity for courts to connect with CDL holders to raise awareness about human trafficking.
This course is a free, 45-minute, interactive, self-paced course that covers:
- The definition of human trafficking
- Signs of human trafficking
- How to report suspected human trafficking
- CDL disqualification for a human trafficking conviction
How courts can help
State courts and judges can actively participate by promoting the course and reinforcing messaging at various CDL holder touchpoints.
Here are some effective strategies to integrate the training course into court operations:
- Mandating the course: Courts can require CDL holders to complete the training as a condition of their sentence, probation, or supervision.
- Incentivizing completion: Courts can offer incentives for completing the course, such as reducing fines or community service hours.
- Promoting awareness: Courts can publicize the course through their websites, social media, and courthouse messaging.
- Plea agreements: Prosecutors can include course completion as a condition in plea agreements.
By implementing these strategies, courts can do their part in the fight against human trafficking and contribute to creating safer communities.
Tools for courts
To support these efforts, we offer resources such as bench cards and reference guides to assist court personnel in implementing the program and educating CDL holders.