Summer Vacation & Truck Stops — THE NORTH STAR

By Kathleen Davis

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As millions of American families hit the roads for summer vacation and take breaks at truck stops to refuel and grab snacks, they may unknowingly come across human trafficking. Commercial truck stops are locations where pimps compel women and girls to engage in prostitution. We are not talking about state owned or state operated welcome centers or rest stops where there is often law enforcement presence (e.g. state patrol). Pimps are taking advantage of locations where there is a large concentration of male truck drivers who are on the road and may be willing to purchase sex. Moreover, these places allow pimps to move the women and girls with ease to other locations as a way of evading law enforcement. Pimps may advertise or have the women and girls advertise via CB radio, or in many cases have the women and girls solicit by going from truck to truck looking for customers. The pimps are also familiar with “party row” where truck drivers park their rigs in the farthest end of a lot with the intention of purchasing sex.

Brothels fronting as Asian massage parlors are also taking advantage of truckers and setting up shop near major commercial truck stops, or in some instances at actual commercial truck stops registered as legitimate businesses. It is not uncommon to see huge highway billboards advertising the massage parlors or spas targeting truck drivers with ads saying “truckers welcome” or “truck parking” and with images depicting barely dressed Asian women.

The takeaway point here is a basic economic principle: if there is demand, someone will supply a product. Pimps and brothel operators know they will amass a profit at these locations because there are customers and because the general public and even law enforcement lack knowledge about human trafficking.

As you travel, consider carrying the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline with you. If you identify any red flags, do not get personally involved. Call the hotline (1-888-3737-888) or in emergency situations, call 911 or highway patrol.

Summer Vacation & Truck Stops — THE NORTH STAR