WASHINGTON – In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, January is a time of renewed commitment for the U.S. Department of Transportation in its efforts to prevent, identify, and report human trafficking and its impact on America’s transportation systems, supply chains, and workforce.
“Transportation professionals and the traveling public are uniquely positioned to safeguard our nation’s roadways, railways, waterways, and airways in order to end the scourge of human trafficking,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Across urban, rural, and Tribal communities and across every mode of transportation, it’s critical for travelers to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking.”
On January 6, Secretary Buttigieg announced the opening of the Department’s 2025 Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award, which incentivizes individuals and organizations to think creatively in developing innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the transportation industry, and to share those innovations with the broader community. Public and private sector stakeholders are invited to submit proposals through March 7, 2025. Full guidelines are provided in the Federal Register Notice.
Secretary Buttigieg also announced the launch of the DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking (ACHT) 2024 report with 123 recommendations for the U.S. Congress, DOT, other federal agencies, State DOTs, private and local transportation entities, law enforcement, associations, non-governmental organizations, and technology companies.
The ACHT recommendations highlight ways to strengthen and enhance current efforts to prevent and detect human trafficking and its intersection with the transportation sector’s workforce, supply chains, travelers, and partners. The report was disseminated to Congress, state and territory governors, and state and territory Departments of Transportation. General and topical fact sheets are available here.