By RYAN SKAITH
As Missouri observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January, the Missouri Department of Transportation is calling on residents to join the effort to identify and report exploitation.
With National Human Trafficking Awareness Day approaching on Sunday, Jan. 11, state officials are highlighting how public vigilance at transit hubs can save lives.
Because MoDOT employees work daily on the state’s highways and at rest areas, they occupy a unique position on the front lines of this crisis. Common locations for trafficking activity include gas stations, convenience stores, hotels, and fast-food establishments. To address this, MoDOT provides specialized training to its workforce to ensure they can recognize the subtle indicators of a trafficking situation and know how to contact the proper authorities.
The urgency of these efforts is underscored by a recent rise in statistics. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Missouri identified 272 cases involving 539 victims in 2024, an increase from the 247 cases reported the previous year. This trend reflects a broader national crisis, where nearly 12,000 cases and 22,000 victims were identified within the same 12-month period.
MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger emphasized that the department’s training programs have already proven effective in real-world scenarios. Hassinger noted that there have been multiple instances where employees noticed something was wrong and used their training to call in reports that prevented terrible situations. He challenged the public to take similar initiative by learning the common warning signs of exploitation.
Potential indicators of trafficking include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, or an individual wearing clothing that is clearly inappropriate for the weather or their location. Victims may also show specific behavioral cues, such as a lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker, body language indicating extreme discomfort, or an inability to speak for themselves. In many cases, the victim will not be in possession of their own money or identification documents.
Authorities urge anyone who suspects someone is being forced into commercial sex, housework, farm work, or any other activity they cannot leave to take immediate action.
Reports can be made by calling the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting BeFree (233733).