Missouri Continuing The Fight Against Human Trafficking During January

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and this month helps raise awareness of human trafficking and educates individuals on how to stop this crime.

In 2018, Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna signed the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking pledge, joining efforts with other American transportation leaders. 

Through this pledge, MoDOT committed itself to providing specialized training to employees on how to identify the common indicators of human trafficking and what to do when they suspect trafficking in Missouri.

Places like rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores, and hotels are prime spots for the practice of human trafficking. 

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, there were 240 human trafficking cases reported in Missouri in 2021, involving 327 victims. 

If you suspect someone is being forced to engage in any activity from which they can’t leave—whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work, or other activity—call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733).