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As the new year progresses, the fight against human trafficking remains more imperative than ever. Human trafficking exists both nationwide and worldwide.

In America, more law enforcement groups, state officials, and grassroots activists are involved in the fight to end human trafficking. Part of this means increasing training for workers in various occupations.

It also involves providing informative details to the general public about what human trafficking is, how it happens, how to prevent it, and how to stop it.

Groups like Operation Underground Railroad, A21, and Free A Girl are also consistently working in real-time to combat human trafficking.

With the start of 2023, however, comes new efforts by the Michigan State Police to make human trafficking a stain of the past.

A closer look at new efforts against human trafficking

The Michigan State Police are joining forces with Truckers Against Trafficking. This collaboration shall entail increasing the general public's awareness of human trafficking as a widespread problem.

Truckers are furthermore using their time on the road to keep an eye out for suspected human trafficking cases. Due to the nature of truckers' work, they can come across traffickers and their victims in places where Michigan State Police may not always be located.

Some red flags that truckers are keeping an eye out for are as follows:

• Individuals moving in and out of the backs of trucks
• Persons moving between multiple trucks at secluded rest stops
• Individuals avoiding eye contact or conversations with those in close proximity to them

Michigan State Police continue to stress the importance that truckers play in the fight against human trafficking.

Law enforcement efforts certainly remain necessary in combatting this form of modern-day slavery; though police still need as many hands on deck as possible.

Human Trafficking Awareness/Prevention Month

The work between the Michigan State Police and Truckers Against Trafficking comes as January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month or Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

All states should take cues from the efforts of Michigan law enforcement, however, no matter what time of year it is. Human trafficking thrives when the general public is ignorant, complacent, or not taking active measures to end this crime.

Hopefully, 2023 will bring not just more awareness about human trafficking, but also more concerted action across the board to end human trafficking for good.

Anyone who wishes to report what they believe to be human trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline via phone at 1 (888) 373-7888 or by text at 233733.