It’s an unfortunate reality, but human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that occurs across the globe. With January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we are launching a human trafficking awareness campaign to highlight what community members can do if they believe someone is being trafficked while using public transportation.

Through a federal grant, we were able to train all front-line employees, transit operators and security officers to help identify human trafficking victims and assist them in safely leaving their traffickers. Our efforts are in partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Criminal Justice department to evaluate the training and FirstMed Health and Wellness, a local organization that helps provide comprehensive wrap-around relief services once a victim is identified.

We want our community to take notice, so we’ve placed awareness campaign signs across the valley at transit stops and hubs, inside and outside buses, on digital billboards and on social media.  

If anyone believes they – or someone they know – are being trafficked, they can approach an RTC employee, transit operator or security officer; or report it anonymously on the RTC’s Transit Watch app. Those seeking assistance can also contact FirstMed 24/7 at 1-844-460-0003.