Truckers Against Trafficking and Women in Trucking are looking for 25 female drivers to participate in a three-month pilot program running from July 7 through Sept. 30. The program will have female drivers handing out lip balm, with a special message on it, to girls and women who might be human trafficking victims.

Women often have greater opportunity to interact with and show compassion to minors and adult women who may be the victims of forced prostitution, according to the groups. This interaction may occur in public restrooms at truck stops or travel plazas, in a hotel or motel lobby, at a laundromat or even in a restaurant. That interaction, either via the message on the lip balm or the phone call a driver makes could directly lead to victim rescue. 

At the end of each interaction, participating drivers will write down specific data regarding the exchange, as well as report potential human trafficking situations to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

“We are excited to see our partnership with WIT move to the next level, and truly believe this campaign has great potential to reach victims with the help they so desperately need," said Kendis Paris, TAT executive director.

A similar program in Kentucky resulted in a spike of victim calls to the NHTRC requesting help. If successful, organizers say the program has the potential to expand across the United States with an unlimited number of drivers participating.

For more information call 920-737-9490 or email lana@womenintrucking.org

The deadline to sign up is June 15.