Human traffickers exploit legitimate systems within multiple business sectors for their own profits. Traffickers are using resources within the transportation sector to move their victims. Transportation is also a way out for survivors. Knowing the Red Flag indicators, understanding what human trafficking is, who is involved and how to report are keys to transit becoming a part of the solution. This presentation will demonstrate ways our industry can make fundamental shifts to prevent, detect, and disrupt human trafficking.

Panelists:

• Kristen Joyner, Chair, Human Trafficking Awareness Protocols and Policies Sub Committee for the Secretary of Transportation and Executive Director, SWTA
• Annie Slovik, Program Director, Busing on the Lookout (BOTL)

Kristen Joyner is the Executive Director of SWTA (a regional association covering Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas), Kristen Joyner brings energy, creativity and a diverse background that includes administrative public transportation work for Rock Region Metro. She has developed and delivered training programs, workshops and conferences for the transit industry, promoting strong transit workforce development and communication across the transportation sector. When it comes to human trafficking, she has provided awareness training to over 1,000 public transportation employees across the U.S., and presented on the topic at national trade associations, state associations, and at various other platforms. The focus of these talks is always public transportation’s role and responsibility in the fight and eradication of human trafficking in communities and on transit systems. Joyner has been collaborating with DOT’s human trafficking initiative to support messaging and training efforts and has been a voice for the public transportation sector so that the support provided will resonate with transit employees. She is also responsible for developing the first industry leadership recognition initiative, “Be the Solution Awards,” which honors human trafficking awareness work – Public Transportation, Private Partnership, and Associations – to encourage awareness of human trafficking. Kristen is a member of the Secretary of Transportation’s Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and previously served on the White House Task Force on Human Trafficking. Kristen serves as the Region 6 representative on the CTAA Board of Directors and Chair of the APTA Access Sub-Committee on Technology and Training.

Annie Sovcik is the Program Director for Busing on the Lookout (BOTL), a new initiative of Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). Annie came to TAT in 2018 with over 12 years of experience as a human rights lawyer, working on anti-human trafficking, anti-torture, and refugee protection policies at a national and international level. Prior to joining TAT, Annie was the director of the Washington D.C. office of the Center for Victims of Torture. She has also worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Human Rights First, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Law and received her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Denver.

Recording