You may no longer see whip marks on the backs of men and women held
captive by forced labor, but the scars on the souls of modern day slaves
– those who are victimized by human trafficking – are still deep,
dehumanizing and destructive.
The last time I saw a man dressed in iron mesh riding astride a galloping s
teed
in the quest of honesty, integrity and justice was on the movie screen
at my local cinema. That doesn’t mean that valiant men (and women) no
longer cross the country with similar values and intent. Today, gasoline
rather than oats powers their horses, and a tee shirt, jeans and
baseball cap has replaced the suit of armor. Though less formal, the
modern day knight’s attire is no less noble and his/her purpose no less
worthy.
Thirty years ago, while resting at a California truck
stop, retired cross-country trucker Mark Brown was approached by a young
girl who was interested in selling her body for cash. Brown ignored her
persistent efforts to get his attention and, eventually, she moved on
down the row of trucks to where other, perhaps, not so disinterested
drivers might have bought her services.
Brown is still beating
himself up for not trying to help that girl and, in his present
position as Director of Driving Instruction at Central Tech in
Drumright, Oklahoma; he is making amends. Along with instructions on
how to safely manage the big rigs, Brown teaches his students how to
recognize victims of human trafficking. He is planning to expand his
lessons via training videos to other driving schools around the country
with the help of Chapter 61 Ministries.
In 2007, Lyn Thompson
and her four daughters, along with a family friend, started Chapter 61
Ministries. Their mission is to put an end to human trafficking by
utilizing long haul truckers. In partnership with Truckers Against
Trafficking, the rush to educate and raise awareness about domestic sex
trafficking is speeding along our nation’s highways.
Thompson,
the national coordinator for Chapter 61 Ministries and a Tulsa
resident, has been quoted as saying, “Traffickers have to transport
their victims, whether by plane, train, ship, bus, car or truck. So, all
the transportation industries are first-line defenders against this
crime.”
“Lot Lizards” is the term used to refer to the boys and
girls who work the rest stops and plazas across the country, and
according to Kendis Paris, a national coordinator for Truckers Against
Trafficking, most of those who prostitute themselves are runaways who
have been forced into the sex trade. If they are under the age of 18,
the law considers them victims of human trafficking.
“I don’t honestly think anybody wakes up and says, ‘I want to sell my body,’ but the kids really have no choice,” Paris said.
At trucking industry events and meetings Brown, Thompson, Paris and
other like-minded humanitarians are handing out wallet cards on which is
printed a hotline number to report offenses or get advice. Knowing
that the police can’t do it alone, TAT’s intent is to encourage
professional drivers to help put those who perpetrate such a horrific
crime in jail.
The next time you are driving and pull up
alongside a trucker, give him the high sign of approval. Let him or her
know how much you appreciate his or her efforts to save the most
innocent among us. You just might get a “toot” back as a show of
gratitude. And remember, just because your car is a lot smaller than an
18-wheeler doesn’t mean you can’t join the crusade and become a Knight
of the Highways.
It doesn’t take physical strength to carry
their message, but it does take a pure heart and a desire to fight evil
wherever it is found.
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