This article won honorable mention in the 2020 Michigan Interscholastic Press Association spring awards ceremony.
We’ve all been on road trips and stopped at a rest stop for a break. These rest stops are full of trucks, cars, loud noises and commotion. What isn’t as obvious to the average road tripper, however, is how these common distractions create the perfect storm for someone to be picked up or exchanged by human traffickers without anyone ever noticing.
The I-94 corridor, which runs from Detroit through Chicago and up to Canada, is recognized by experts as one of the most dangerous highways for human trafficking.
Both national and local organizations are working to address this crisis. Several are targeting truck stops.
“Stickers with the National Human Trafficking Hotline will be in every women’s bathroom stall and lobby at rest stops across Michigan,” We’re West Michigan Television said.
Human trafficking is defined as causing anyone to engage in labor or sexual activity against their will, and to prostitute out anyone under the age of 18, even if they are willing ( justice.gov). Traffickers often draw victims in by false promises, romance, violence, drugs, money or other ploys.
Trafficking affects individuals not only across the world but right here in Michigan. According to michigan.gov, “it is commonly regarded as the second-largest criminal enterprise after drugs and affects every community across age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds.”
Michigan is currently ranked as the second highest state for human trafficking, behind California. In 2019, there were approximately 172 reported cases in Michigan according to the Human Trafficking Hotline.
Recently, the issue of human trafficking and prevention has been trending on social media. Several news stories have highlighted women feeling threatened and fearing that they could have been trafficked.
A woman from Wayne, Michigan shared her personal story of being sold at age 12. She recalled being held hostage and sold by her brother in law. The woman, now 31, also recalls showing signs that she needed help and not receiving it.
“I exhibited a lot of red flags, but if you weren’t knowing what to look for, you wouldn’t have seen it,” the woman said.
According to ourrescue.com, common signs to look for in adolescents include suddenly being involved with older or online friends, appearing afraid to answer questions, lying about identity or age, not carrying any form of identification, showing signs of physical abuse, referencing past travels but not knowing plans of going anywhere else and more.
It is extremely important to be able to recognize the signs of human trafficking because, according to the rescue organization Into Freedom, once someone has been trafficked, the average victim will only live seven more years.
While some victims reported being trafficked by someone they knew, the most common technique of abduction is known as the “loverboy technique.” This method of enticement involves predators complimenting, being extremely nice to and spending time with victims until they are trusted.
There has been speculation that some predators have been known to wrap items of clothing around windshield wipers or put other distractions on potential victims’ windshields. This causes the driver to be distracted and spend more time outside of their car.
If you suspect or know someone is being trafficked, you can contact these organizations that are dedicated to helping victims.
The Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force:
(888) 3737-888
The Justice.gov 24 hour human trafficking hotline:
(616) 726-7777
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