The driving industry is founded upon the opportunity to help others. Recently, this help has been extended far beyond simply completing deliveries or giving passengers a ride: drivers who are trained in detecting signs of human trafficking have recently been able to report and stop human trafficking situations.
If you are seeking a delivery driving outlet that will teach you how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, RapidGo Driver is here to help. Learn more here about what you can do to help stop human trafficking while working as a rideshare driver.
Signs of Human Trafficking:
Hope For Justice and Polaris are organizations working to end human trafficking. They outline some of the most common signs that an individual may be a victim of human trafficking. These include:
- Mistrustful and Suspicious: Victims of human trafficking are often lured or abducted under false promises, pretenses, or lies, so they are often deeply suspicious of others.
- Fearful: For various reasons—including abuse, threats, and consequences—human trafficking victims often exhibit signs of fear. This includes fear of the police, fear of the individual accompanying them, fear of speaking out, and more. If a passenger is exhibiting signs of unordinary levels of fear, this can be a sign of human trafficking or abuse.
- Signs of Physical Abuse: Look for any signs of physical abuse on the potential victim’s body. This includes bruising, cuts, scratches, or signs of physical discomfort.
- Verbal Abuse: Verbal abuse is often used to oppress and punish victims, and maybe a sign of human trafficking.
- Lack of Control: If the suspected victim has few items (for example, no physical possessions despite being in an Uber to the airport) or is not allowed to speak, this lack of control could be a sign of abuse or human trafficking.
- Clothing Signs: Is the potential victim wearing clothes that look like they may not fit or that may not be appropriate for their age? Are their clothes dirty or do they look like they are not being appropriately cared for? Is the clothing overly sexual in a way that the potential victim seems uncomfortable in?
- Reported as Missing: While it is impossible to keep tabs on all of the missing person reports released every day, do your best to keep an eye on reports of missing women and children in your area and be sure to pay careful attention to their photographs. This may help you recognize them in the case that they ever become a passenger in your vehicle.
What to Do if You Suspect Human Trafficking
As a rideshare driver, you have the opportunity to help victims of human trafficking. If you notice one or more of these signs, alert the police of your suspicions. It is important that you do so without putting yourself at risk or putting the victim at further risk.
Of course, if there is an immediate safety risk, always contact emergency services first. Otherwise, the best recourse is first to contact any human trafficking organizations specific to your area. Be sure to research the human trafficking help available in your city and keep their contact information and standard protocol guidance in your car for when a potential human trafficking situation may arise.
If there is not an organization-specific to your area, call 1-888-373-7888 for The National Human Trafficking Hotline or visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org for more information.
In cases involving minors, you can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or visit the Missing Kids website if you suspect one of your passengers is a reported missing child or the victim of sexual abuse.
How to Stay Involved as an Uber Driver
When you are driving for a rideshare platform like Uber or Lyft, you are constantly introduced to a rotating cast of passengers. By staying an informed driver, you can learn to recognize the signs of human trafficking and intervene, when possible. By taking the appropriate course of action as a driver, you have the incredible opportunity to make a difference and maybe even save someone’s life.
For more information about safe driving, join the Rapidgo Driver community today!
