The IAM is committed to continue advocating on behalf of policies and practices to end human trafficking and to help victims and survivors.
Given the IAM’s role in the transportation industry, many members are trained to spot, act, and alert authorities for those who may be victims of trafficking.
This past July, Air Transport Local Lodges 811 and 2198 hosted a seminar in Houston to ensure members and the general public have the skills to identify indicators of people at risk and signs of human trafficking.
And now this week, Local 811’s Women’s Committee members, Sarah Monderoy Garcia and Evelita Everitt, dropped off a large donation of supplies for basic necessities to United Against Human Trafficking, an advocacy organization located in Houston dedicated to end human trafficking and empower survivors. These supplies were donated by members of Locals 811 and 2198.
“We are extremely proud of our IAM members who acted and took a step further to help survivors who are in need,” said IAM Air Transport General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “It’s important to be informed when it comes to human trafficking but it’s also important to get involved.”
The Houston area ranks in the top amongst all the regions in the country in terms of human trafficking.
“The IAM will continue to raise awareness of this critical issue and encourage our members to help vulnerable survivors,” said IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes. “These individuals deserve a chance and by providing them assistance with basic needs, we can help them with their recovery.”
You can help raise awareness of human trafficking by getting more involved in your Local’s Humans Rights and/or Women’s Committees.
If you suspect a case of human trafficking, take note of your observations and call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.