Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Welcome, everyone, to a special presentation brought to you by Wevets. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and this year's theme, partner to prevent, could not be more relevant. Joining me in exploring this theme is Brad White, associate director of safety at Werner Enterprises and also a member of the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.
[00:00:21] Speaker B: Thanks, Adam. Appreciate the opportunity to be here today.
[00:00:24] Speaker A: Katie Mandel, operations manager in our dedicated division and steering committee member for our women's Leadership alliance.
[00:00:30] Speaker C: Thank you.
[00:00:31] Speaker D: Proud to be a part of this.
[00:00:33] Speaker A: And Rachel Zakovich, Intermodal Network manager in our logistics division and steering committee member for our women's leadership alliance.
[00:00:41] Speaker E: Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this.
[00:00:44] Speaker A: So in this episode, we're honored to have two distinguished guests. First, we have Paul Yates, the executive director of I've Got a Name, a remarkable organization making strides in the fight against human trafficking, specifically here in Nebraska. Alongside Paul, we're also joined by Liz Williamson from Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization at the forefront of mobilizing the trucking industry against this heinous crime. Paul, let's jump in with your story with. I've got a name story. You want to give us the high level overview of you and your involvement in this organization?
[00:01:19] Speaker F: Sure. Happy to and truly appreciate this opportunity to join you today for this very important topic for all of us to learn more about and become more involved. My life changed, honestly, back in 2008 when I left my comfy job as the president of a marketing firm in Lincoln and felt called to do more than just what I was doing. And long story short, I became involved with an organization over in the country of Nepal. And at the time, that organization had primarily children's homes, but they also were combating human trafficking, basically on the border of Nepal and India. Young girls and women being lied to and sold into the brothels of India. Just a horrible, horrible life. It's hard to imagine this goes on in our world.
And so I got involved with that organization. And really that's when the uptick of this thing we call human trafficking became more aware around the world. I think, you know, the, back then, the 27 million people in slavery around the world. And honestly, I thought slavery was over, but it's the worst it's been, I think today it's like estimated 37 million, something like that. So my role over there, I lived in Nebraska, but was to raise awareness and support for their work over there, intercepting these young women and girls. And I actually experienced a couple of situations when I visited over there.
Hard to imagine little children and girls being lied to in the way they were, and then what their life would end up being along that journey. It's just kind of crazy. I met a gentleman by the name of Bob Burton at the time. He was the senior athletic director at the University of Nebraska. Underneath the athletic director. He'd been there 24 years, and he heard about this issue through an article in the newspaper in Lincoln, because the first human trafficking conferences was happening at the University of Nebraska. And he came to that event that night, and he was just blown away by the issue of human trafficking, especially sex trafficking. And he really felt empowered to do something about it. Actually, his church community was doing this decade on purpose kind of thing. And look back ten years. What impact have you had other than just your family and your work? And when he found out about our organization from a newspaper article, he contacted me. Couldn't believe in Lincoln. There was an organization fighting this overseas. So we became good friends. And I'll just say it right now, the name of organization is I've got a name. And it's because he got in the car that night after hearing this speaker, international speaker at this conference.
And it was a Jim Crochet song songwriter from the. It's called I've got a name has nothing to do with this issue. But he just felt his heart really broken. And he said, every one of these women and girls has a God given name. They should be treated with love, respect, and dignity. They all have their own name.
And he reached out to me, and long story short, we had a big event at his church community. We had another event, and he started supporting us, raising funds through his own action at the University of Nebraska. Not corresponding with the University of Nebraska, but just there was a baseball coach and a bunch of people there supporting him. And that money was funneled over to Nepal to protect these young women and girls. And as time went on, he started looking at Lincoln, Nebraska. And it's just crazy. I've lived in Lincoln pretty much my whole life and now live in the Omaha area. But to hear what was going on in Lincoln, I mean, this stage is the good. I mean, this just only happens overseas, right? Doesn't happen here.
[00:05:09] Speaker A: There's some really alarming studies that you guys reference on your website from 2015 and 2017. So it's data that's not that old. But the problem is alive in this state, in our backyards, I think way more so than most people realize.
[00:05:25] Speaker F: Exactly. And that's our biggest challenge. But I always say this started as a song, became an event, and then became a nonprofit. And so now I've got a names all about fighting this injustice in Nebraska through Bob Burton's heart and passion to want to do something about it.
[00:05:43] Speaker A: Is there any connection still to southeast Asia? Is there anything that the organization is doing there, or is it fully shifted to Lincoln?
[00:05:51] Speaker F: It's solely here, Lincoln and Nebraska. I mean, I'll talk a little bit about in a bit, but our street outreach is primarily Lincoln because of our resources, but also Nebraska. Is it. I mean, as far as speaking and creating awareness, and yet this has no know, when you drive outside of know, you may have a sign there saying you've entered Kansas, but it's over there, too. So we go around in this area and speak, too.
[00:06:14] Speaker A: So let's Talk street outreach. Let's talk through how I've got a name makes an impact on this issue.
What's the mission? What do you do? What's the one, two, and three of the organization?
[00:06:28] Speaker F: Sure. Our mission is to end sex trafficking where we live. Again. It's here.
And our three pillars. One is awareness, being aware of what it is and what it's not. We deal with a lot of myths and stereotypes. I've been fighting this since 2008, and I still don't understand it, still in a big learning curve. But awareness is critical. It is here, it's everywhere. The second pillar is to take action, and that's our street outreach. And that's where we meet individually with women and girls, where they're at in their lives, whether rescuing them and helping them restore their lives or protecting them and preventing them from this injustice. And our street outreach team is two people, and Megan's our outreach director, and she uses her past life experience in this life for ten years. She's been out for 16. An amazing woman. And it's just building that relationship with these women and girls.
I should mention, too, Adam, this does impact boys and males, too. Our main mission is women and girls. If we come across a male and we have had a few situations where that's happened, then I get involved as a male with that situation. And then our third pillar is inspiration. Get involved, do something.
Which does have its challenges because of the sensitivity of this issue.
Volunteering is very difficult because we're dealing with people in extreme situations.
Yeah. Street outreach is our main foundation of what we do.
[00:08:00] Speaker A: Paul, tell us a success story. What is success in the street outreach program? Tell us something that has happened, if you can, in our state.
[00:08:09] Speaker F: Yeah. The question is, how do you measure success?
And the critical part of what we do is changing lives. And so you have a woman or a girl that are going one direction and you're trying to change them 180 degrees the other way. And the thing that I'm still learning today is just how significant their trauma is. And it doesn't just happen overnight. It's a process.
I can share, though, one story that's just amazing. And it was a young woman, we'll call her Taylor, she was online and met a gentleman and started a relationship with him and really felt it was like the relationship she was looking for. And as time went on, she started seeing changes in him and started seeing how he was really using her instead of loving her. And their relationship became a sexual relationship and then sex with other people. Now you're going to say right there, well, why didn't she stop? Why did she allow that to happen? It's because of the grooming process, what he had done to her and how he manipulated her. And so she gets into this journey and it goes on and on and on. And now he's taking her across straight state lines and he's just setting her up on dates. Again, you ask, well, why did she allow that to happen?
Physical abuse started coming in there, threats started coming in there.
Just a total destruction of her mind and self esteem and self worth.
Until eventually she decided one day as her driving down the highway, just to end her life, she jumped out of the car, flying down the highway. And obviously she didn't die. She was found along the roadside.
And you can imagine.
Can you imagine standing there on that roadside and being picked up and wanting to go home and all the thoughts going through your mind, what's home? Because she was alienated from her home. She was cut off from her family and everyone, and what would they think of her and the guilt and the shame and all these things. But she goes home and of course is accepted with open arms and now needs to start this process of healing again. Trauma is such a word. But what she's experiencing is so much more than that, and the fear and the shame and the guilt. And as a man, I can't even begin to think about what that really is. I'm a know.
But she starts this journey and this process of healing, and Megan, our outreach director, comes in contact with her and just starts her on that journey. And that whole part of our outreach is meeting them where they're at, not know, not trying to get them to believe what you believe or what you think they should do, but empowering them. And this relationship starts off with just showing them that love, showing them how you feel about them. I heard a quote the other day that it's not what you say or what you do, it's how you make me feel. And that's what's so important about her know. And so Megan starts working her along this journey. I'm just going to fast forward, but about a year and a half ago, she got a text from her. And the text said to Megan, hey, beautiful soul, do you have know for coffee or lunch sometime now, beautiful soul, that just shows you their relationship that they have. Okay.
And I should mention, too, this young lady came from a very good family, very good background. Okay. Again, one of the myths and stereotypes we deal with, thinking it's just people in poverty or certain ethnic group or. No, this is anyone and everybody.
And so they continue on with this relationship, and Megan helps her get a great job, and now she's got a fantastic job and just helping her rebuild her life. And it wasn't too long ago that she reached out to Megan again. And, you know, I'm back in a relationship. I need some advice. I need some help. And so Megan's still involved in her life, helping her and helping her see who she really is and the beauty that she has within her.
It's a love story, and it's beautiful. And a lot of people ask, well, when do our services end? They really don't. This relationship will never end.
It just goes on and on. So what is success? That's a great success. But we have other situations, too, where it's these baby steps of success, and they're on a roller coaster. They go up and they go down, just like we all do in life, right? We all experience this, but with their trauma, it's so different and so difficult.
And it takes a lot of patience and especially unconditional love. And that's what we're all about, unconditional love.
[00:12:55] Speaker E: Can you tell me what resources and support I've got a name provides to survivors of sex trafficking to help them rebuild their lives?
[00:13:02] Speaker F: Yeah, that's a great question. As I mentioned, we meet them where they're at. What are their needs? We came across a young woman from another state who was actually going to testify against a gentleman in jail in Lancaster county. And she had no birth certificate, no driver's license, no Social Security card. She pretty much can't do anything. So we start that process with her and find her shelter, which is very difficult, and just start building that relationship with her. I should mention, too, we have no office. Okay. Our office is wherever we're at coffee shops. Wherever they want to meet, can we meet them? And so you just start building that relationship and see what their needs are. Maybe it's a single mom that is selling herself to support her know, how does she get a job? What does she go through again, that whole unconditional love process. And then we utilize services that are available in the know. I know the Omaha Metro has incredible services and so does Lincoln and most cities do. Just question is, how do you access it? And I think, Rachel, the issue is, I think for a lot of us, it's easy. Well, you just do it this way. Well, no, when they're in their trauma, when they're in their own element, where do you even begin? And we had a woman that was given a list of ten things to do, and she looked at Megan, said, what do I do with this? She goes, let's just pick a couple. Let's just start here.
And so we utilize those resources within the community to also help with that. Megan has a degree in counseling and all that, but that's not the realm of how far we go. We try to connect them with counseling. We're dealing with a lot of mental health issues and a lot of other addiction issues as know chemical and so forth. Drug addiction. So just connecting with the community, but being that stronghold right there, that can be there with them through that whole time.
[00:14:50] Speaker E: You said there's great resources in Omaha and Lincoln.
What do you use to engage and educate the public about sex trafficking, especially in the rural and suburban areas of Nebraska?
[00:15:01] Speaker F: Yeah. Another great know. As a nonprofit organization, I'm constantly trying to figure out ways to creatively create awareness and engage people. And when we raise funds, it can either be for marketing or outreach. Well, it's usually outreach. Now. We've been blessed lately. We could do some more things with marketing and awareness. So it's very important to go out and speak. And I will go anywhere and speak, and that's where you get that one on one connection. And so whether it's a church community, your home, school, business, we need to be more aware. And not just in the cities, in the rural communities. It's so prevalent there. I could name towns that you'd just go, what? Yeah, in that little town, yes. And so having these events are critical to go out. And also, people can follow us on Facebook, of course, and Instagram if you want to sign up on our website at I've got a name, you can get our monthly updates that are video updates from Pam and Megan. Being real, what they're doing today or next week or last week, again, being very confidential, being very sensitive with these issues. But it's so important we get that word out. I mean, even this podcast here, this is wonderful. And it's not just about Nebraska. It's create awareness around our know. It doesn't have to be the big know. It's everywhere I can share. Just real quickly, there was a situation in Kansas. A young woman who was solicited from a picture she put of her, like, a handmade tattoo on her hand during COVID and these predators came after her. And I won't share that whole story, but they found out. This is rural Kansas. They found out that there were nine other high school girls these people were targeting. This is modern day slavery. Okay.
[00:16:52] Speaker D: That's what this is kind of talking about, how the Internet plays a role in all of this. Does your organization have any suggestions for women in protecting themselves in the online world?
[00:17:04] Speaker F: Yeah, that is such a big issue. Oh, my gosh.
[00:17:08] Speaker A: Delete the Internet, period.
[00:17:10] Speaker D: Yeah, I mean, that'd be a great start.
[00:17:14] Speaker F: There are some great things about the Internet, and there's also some things that are very challenging.
Gosh, I mean, when I was younger, dinosaurs were still around, but, I mean, we didn't have these things called cell phones or really the Internet.
People can use that for good, and they can use that for bad, and it's used for bad a lot. And I think the biggest challenge we have is especially parents trying to understand what this is.
I always use the example, when your child turns 16, you generally don't throw the car keys at them and say, hey, have a great time. Go out and come home whenever you want. Just be safe. Well, that's what we do with these smartphones.
That's what we do with these smartphones and these predators, the algorithms, everything, they just will attack you. And because of the word sex and sex trafficking, I get all kinds of strange stuff coming my way, whether it's on my computer, my phone, my tablet. And so I always just really encourage parents and our youth, especially, just to be aware of their phones and what they're doing and their location services. And especially parents have conversations when your kids are young, if you're going to give them that phone and listen, I understand, completely understand giving your daughter a phone for safety. Unfortunately, they live in a different world than the boys do. Okay.
I remember when my daughter got her smartphone, when my son got his. Well, he just wanted to look at sports and games and all that junk, but my daughter, it was for safety. So start early with your kids and have conversations about that and look at their phone. It's not that you don't trust them. You love know you're not just throwing them the car keys and make that a commonality within your relationship, that you're looking at their phone, you're looking at their know. When a mother in Lincoln sees the bruises on her daughter's body, and she's very gifted in athletics, and that's what she thinks it's from. Until she walks by one day and sees her daughter's image on her computer, her boyfriend selling her. Okay, so there's the reality of it. And so again, technology is wonderful and it's frightening. And roadblocks. We're working with a 13 year old now. Since she was ten, she was solicited on roadblocks, a game for kids.
So I could tell you story after story after story.
So be aware. Protect your kids.
[00:19:50] Speaker B: One of the biggest things that we try to do here at Warner when we're training our drivers or office associates, is provide them with that checklist, like what to look for, how to call for action. So in our community, you talked about your outreach and things like that to provide that awareness. But how does somebody recognize something from a stranger at a grocery store or things of that nature or online that this is an issue and I need to do something about it?
[00:20:18] Speaker F: Yeah, that's a great question, and one we get asked a lot. What can I do about it? And first of all, just the word stranger you use there. What is a stranger? It's anybody you don't know, especially getting back to our kids. It's not just the guy that smells and has a dirty beard and his clothes are dirty. It's anybody you don't know. Okay, so you have that aspect of it, but it is really difficult because you have to be careful. I've been in situations where I've suspected something, and some scenes are a little more obvious than others. I was at a big twelve basketball tournament in Kansas City, and I was waiting with my son in the morning after the tournament. And this woman came out of the elevator in this nice hotel. And I think, I'm wondering, what can I do? But she's here. And then about five minutes later, her husband and kids come running out of the elevator. Or I'm along the interstate and I see this woman. I go into this gas station, and this woman's yelling at somebody in a car, and I go in to use the restroom, and I come back out and they've taken off. And then they come back and swing back around.
So what's going on there? So the most important thing is don't be law enforcement. If you think there's a situation, call your local law enforcement. If it's an emergency, call 911.
The United States has their national number, but in Nebraska it's 833-757-5665 okay. And so you can use that number to call or just call 911 no matter where you're at, rural Nebraska, wherever you're at, and report the issue. Don't try to be law enforcement. Don't try to step into that situation.
You may be in a place where, and we come across this where?
I'll just give you an example. There's this woman who was in this life, and she went into a local drugstore, and the woman across the desk looked at her and said, you look horrible. Are you okay?
Well, right next to her is her owner. And now he steps in and says, oh, yeah, that's why we're here. She's not feeling good at all. We need to get her some medicine. Now. What do you do in a situation like that? They're going to walk out the door. Now, if there's some way that you can separate those two and talk with that young woman, give her some information. We have these cards called Megan cards. It has her number on it. She may slip that in her pocket, but you have to be very careful because that owner, if he sees that, become very abusive. Okay. So it's really a challenge. But if you have a situation, even your own neighborhood, you're concerned about something, call law enforcement. If it's not an emergency, just call your local law enforcement, have them check it out.
It's important that we do that. I always say, just think if everyone in the Omaha, metro or Nebraska or in this country knew about this issue more, not an expert, okay. I've been fighting this since 2008. I'm not an expert. But if you're more aware and you could report it, how much more difficult would be.
[00:23:29] Speaker A: Let's talk about how big of an issue it is in Nebraska.
[00:23:31] Speaker F: Paul.
[00:23:32] Speaker A: So 900 individuals sold every month in the state, often multiple times, is that right?
[00:23:39] Speaker F: Yeah. In 2017, Creighton University did some extensive research on a website called Backpage. This is just a piece of the pie, Adam. It's just back page. It's a website, and they track by IP addresses and all this technology that I don't understand that at least 900 individuals for sale every 30 day period in Nebraska, multiple times.
And that's just mind blowing. And I know, an international researcher. When I first met him when I got involved in this work back in 2008, he said this research is always underestimated. Always underestimated because it's so difficult. Now, this was a little more concise because it was website communication between buyers and sellers.
The governor's task force had a report by Dr. Ron Hampton and he did that extensive research overseas, but he did it in Nebraska. And one out of every 250 high school girls enter the commercial sex trade in our state. Based on that survey, it said high school girls and it's middle school girls.
So it's real here. And the average cost in our state, I believe, is $250 an hour. The average cost.
You can get that research from our website under resources, the Creighton University research. A very easy read and an eye opener on Nebraska.
[00:25:01] Speaker A: Yeah, some of the other stats that really stuck out to me. So one of every ten individuals sold for sex in Nebraska, too young to buy alcohol. Average age of a child entering the commercial sex trade is 13 years old.
200 of those 900 are sold in the city of Lincoln every month. I would certainly imagine looking at some of the heat maps on your website. Omaha's number is larger than 200, especially depending upon the event that's going on in Omaha. It's just heartbreaking.
[00:25:34] Speaker F: It really is. And I will say this from Lincoln standpoint, and again, that 200 is from that research on the website. Most of the women and girls we're working with have not been sold online, I think. Let me see. Last in October, our statistics we had between two individuals, we had six new referrals, 21 active clients and 80 personal visits with these people we're working with.
[00:26:04] Speaker A: So we've talked quite a bit about prevention efforts.
On one side of the coin, let's talk about the men's movement that I've got a name has. How do we prevent the demand? If you prevent the demand, it doesn't become an issue to begin with.
What's I've got a name doing in that space?
[00:26:23] Speaker F: Yeah. Thank you for asking that. It's really important to address the demand. I need to make it real clear, though, that we know there are more good and great men out there than those that struggle with this for sure. And so it's a matter of bringing these men together and saying, hey, how can we be an impact on this? How can we change people's mindset?
What can we do? And our men's movement really is at an infant stage. But we have a pledge on our website you can take. We're going to start connecting more with these men. We're getting them just to raise their hand, say, yeah, we need to do something. There's a lot of times I do speaking, and a father will come up and goes, I've got two daughters. Man, this really ticks me off. And I'll say, do you have any sons? Oh, I have two sons. Well, you need to talk to your sons, too.
But addressing the demand side of it. And I also know women and girls purchase, too and sell, too. So, yeah, talking to men, what is it to be an authentic man?
Listen, we're a very sexualized culture in this country, and I can't think of a worst addiction maybe than sex addiction because it's just so in your face, whether it's on tv, on billboards or whatever. So we have a lot of men out there that are struggling with this, and it's so important for them to understand that it's courageous and it's strength when you can come to someone that you trust and talk to them about your issues, pornography and those things, too, that are not victimless, that are not harmless, they're very harmful to you, your relationships and everything. So how do we start that dialogue between men to stand up and say to their best friend, hey, you need to quit going to that gentleman's club, let's have a talk about that, or you need to get offline on the things you're looking at. How can we really help and heal and love each other in that way? And so this men's movement is just that. It's a starting of a movement of men to start dialoguing and talking about this, because we need to. We really need to.
[00:28:23] Speaker E: What are some of the biggest misconceptions about sex trafficking that you encounter, and how does your organization work to dispel those myths?
[00:28:32] Speaker F: Yeah, that's a great question, Rachel, because it is the challenge day in and day out that we deal with. And I've already know that. It's just in the big know. It's not just in Nebraska or it's in the rural communities. That's the big myth. And that happens here. And it's not just a part of your town that you live in. It's everywhere. I heard the chief of police from Milwaukee speak at the University of Wisconsin when I spoke there years ago, and he said, these predators aren't just looking for the street smart girls. They're looking for your daughter. So you can live in that house with a white picket fence, and your daughter or son can be victim to this. So it's really important to understand that you don't point fingers at a certain ethnic group. I personally believe this has nothing to do with your ethnic background or your poverty guideline, although poverty can put you in more vulnerable know. And Lauren Bethel, an international consultant, once said, it's the exploitation of vulnerability what makes you vulnerable. And a lot of these women and girls, it's their self esteem, their self worth that these predators take advantage of.
So that's a big challenge, that it just doesn't happen over there. It's here, and it could be in my house. It could be my next door neighbor. You just don't know.
[00:29:51] Speaker B: I can't help but listen to your stories and kind of messaging about, I've got a name, and come back to the awareness know, and just being aware. Right. Everybody, at some point in time, you talked about, you know, how shocked he was to hear that, to hear how much it's happening within our community. I was the same way.
What more can we do at Warner Enterprises to do our part with getting that message out there and really making an impact?
[00:30:17] Speaker F: Another great question I really appreciate. My wife and I just moved up to the Omaha area because she works here at Warner, but we're going to be bringing our footprint up here to the Omaha area. And one of the things we do for the last ten years is a walk for freedom.
Covid put a little damper in that back in 20, but our walk for freedom has been in Lincoln every year, and it's basically people walking from one place to another. We usually have a speaker, and it's awareness. And I quickly learned, too.
I met a 15 year old that after one of our walks, and she said, can I talk to you? I want to help you with your organization.
And people are all around me, and I figured it was something sensitive, and I asked her if she could email me. My second name is. Contact us on our website. Of course, these youth, they understand exactly how to get in touch with you. And she went on to send me this email the next day saying that her aunt had sold her, and could I please come to the sentencing of her aunt that week in the courthouse? Which I did. So this is also healing this event for people. And there are people that are there that you don't need to know. They're victims of this, okay. Or survivors of this. So that is a big piece. And so we're going to be reaching out into the community. And so, Warner, especially just in the trucking industry, you're out there all over our country, all over the know rural cities, everything. It's so important that you have this awareness. You've already taken this initiative to talk about it, which is just know. And so what can you do? What can that next step be?
Just continue to get informed.
We're all influencers, aren't we? Within our personal lives, within our work lives, any other community that we're involved in. So create that awareness. Don't just hold it in yourself and research and look it up. I've been fighting this since 2008. I still don't understand it. I'm still on a learning curve. And especially as a man, really waking up a lot.
[00:32:11] Speaker B: And it's something that continues to evolve. Right.
The folks that are committing these crimes continue to learn from how they're getting caught today and evolve that. So always something that we need to be vigilant of and aware that this crime continues to change and how we can continue to make that impact.
[00:32:31] Speaker F: Yeah, very much so. I think a lot of the law enforcement used to go to the hotels, sting operations there. A lot of it's now cyber on phones, communicating, arrests being made left and right, and justice is served, which is awesome.
[00:32:50] Speaker A: So, Paul, how can the public connect with you? Walk us through where you're at. Obviously a website, assuming social media.
[00:33:01] Speaker F: Yep, I've got a name is our website.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram. We're a small organization. We have one person that does our communications, marketing, all of our graphic design, all of our stuff, even our database. And so her hands are full. But it's important to get connected if you want to find out more about us. And I think one of the things we try to do is we're a very tight knit organization. We're very close to one another. And when you hear Pam and Megan and see what they're going through day in and day out in their heart and soul, it's involved in this. It's just beautiful. And so we try to portray that again, as I mentioned earlier with our street outreach updates, Pam just gave one three weeks ago, and she was just stating the facts that this is a joyful time for a lot of know, Christmas time, New Year's. This is a time where a lot of these victims are hiding because they're not happy. They're miserable. They can't stand the joy that's out there. They're not a part of it. And so that video was just talking about that reality.
And that's why I tell Pam and Megan, when you do these updates, just be real. Megan spent a whole week in federal court. It was draining on her. It was triggering on know on her past life.
And anyone out there know wants to find out more information or get know. Paul at I've got a name. That's me. Or like I said earlier, contact us or if you want me to come speak anywhere. I'd much rather do that than sit at my computer all day, go out and meet the public, because that's when you see change. That's when you see change. So yeah, our website is the key and we have our walk for freedom coming up. I believe it's in April twelveth. I think it is, if that's a Saturday. And then also Chi health is. We're having a conference on the 26 April at innovation campus off of the University of Nebraska campus. It's really exciting. They're bringing that to the forefront with us for awareness. That's awesome. We hope to have an incredible keynote speaker, a national one that they're going to bring in. We're busy people.
[00:35:15] Speaker A: Heck yeah.
[00:35:16] Speaker B: Well, thank you for the overview, Paul, and the examples and stories that you provided. And now I'd like to invite another story, one from the heart of a survivor. Liz Williamson joins us now from truckers against trafficking. Liz is a training specialist and survivor leader there. And truckers against trafficking is a nonprofit organization that trains truck drivers to recognize and report incidences of human trafficking. Liz is one of the many survivors who have joined truckers against trafficking to share their stories and educate the transportation industry on how to combat this global issue. How are you today, Liz?
[00:35:47] Speaker C: I'm doing great and I'm super inspired by Paul and I'm excited what Warner's doing as a whole.
[00:35:54] Speaker B: Good. We had met and have talked a couple of times.
I'm fascinated by your story, heartbroken by your story. Do you mind sharing a little bit about that to kind of give a little background?
[00:36:07] Speaker C: Sure can. And as our listeners just process that I have a story, it's not happy.
So it's always hard of where do I start with my story? My name is Liz. I'm a survivor of trafficking, but that doesn't really encapsulate who I am.
My mom was my first trafficker and I was six years old. And we always want to know what zip code does that happen? Because I won't move there. My mom was a nurse. My dad worked in finance. They had good jobs. They went to college.
We sat in your church on Sunday.
And for all of those reasons, we think that we're safe from never being harmed.
But the reality was my mom had trauma history that she never dealt with. And she decided to sell me.
There's never a good way to explain that because it'll never make sense. But I was sold from six to 23.
I am 37 now.
I've been out for a little bit. I've been married for three and a half years. Try that. And you know what?
There is absolutely no reason in the world I should have been sold. None. None. It will never make sense. I want to tell you about the good things that truckers against trafficking does. That the good things that my story does. But when I sit here and I think about it, and I want to give you a reason I was sold. I'll never come up with one.
[00:37:40] Speaker B: Yeah. When we talked the first time, I had watched a video on truckers against trafficking's website and commented on how impactful that story was to me. And I had mentioned that to you, and you said that was me.
And words.
There are no words to explain how sorry we are that you went through it. But again, it is a remarkable story. Kind of the success from everything.
And now you're with truckers against trafficking, being able to make a difference for others in the world.
[00:38:20] Speaker C: You know what I also think about, Brad, is that I want to confront the stereotypes. Just like Paul was saying. That it's local people that this is happening to, that sometimes they're never on the Internet and they're still being know. For me, when I think about it, it's not people being smuggled in. It's not people being brought over. It's people that are in our everyday lives who happen to be sold. And that there's two distinct crimes happening here. That, yes, people can be smuggled over. Yes, they can be brought over for the purposes of forced labor, for the purposes of trafficking. But what about our people who are already here and they're a target, and maybe they don't even know it. Now, my story, I admit that my mom made a choice.
She did. She actually passed away this year. So I don't know how to reconcile that necessarily, except to say that I'm glad that no one else will be harmed. And I know that sounds like a heavy statement, and it is.
But trafficking happens everywhere. It's not one zip code. It's not one place. And that's why the awareness piece to me that truckers against trafficking brings is huge.
[00:39:39] Speaker B: Go ahead.
[00:39:41] Speaker C: It's going to be the person that sees something, that says something, and it's just going to feel, well, that was out of place. I don't know what to make of it. I need to make this report. I think that's why it's huge.
[00:39:52] Speaker A: Liz, Brad gave us an overview of truckers against trafficking, but would you walk us through what tat does?
[00:40:00] Speaker C: Sure can. So truckers against trafficking exists to bring awareness about sex trafficking and labor trafficking in some very specific areas. Whether that's trucking, whether that's the energy industry, whether that's the busing industry. Basically, we exist to bring awareness to places that may not have had awareness before, because we really believe that if people knew what they were looking at, that they would want to make a difference.
So we're thinking about, can our truck stops make a difference? We're thinking, can our in home delivery people make a difference? We're thinking, our bus stops, when you're sitting and you're waiting for the bus or your bus driver is looking out for you while you're on the bus, can you make a difference? Our energy industry, it's a male influenced industry. How do we make sure that they are being people of integrity who want to help rather than harm?
[00:41:03] Speaker B: In your story, particularly, you had mentioned in the training and awareness video about, you wish somebody would have taken a step further into your home. Can you talk a little bit about that aspect of just getting that confirmation and not hesitating to make that call?
[00:41:22] Speaker C: So if you had walked into my home as a child, and I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, but we do have to confront the idea of pornography that plays into sex trafficking. It just does in our culture. I mean, no shame, I mean, no blame. We just have to confront the idea of it. In my house, on a tv that was in my kitchen, pornography played all the time. If you walked into someone's kitchen and you saw pornography being loop played, you wouldn't let your child stay there. Not one bit. You'd feel uncomfortable.
But for me, a sexualized atmosphere was normal. I didn't know it was abnormal. I didn't know that it would make people feel uncomfortable.
In my household, it wasn't like everyone else's household. There were cameras, but it was meant to know who's coming and who's going, who hasn't paid yet, who needs to pay.
It wasn't meant to keep people safe. It was meant to keep me in, to keep the money in. So it was definitely different than maybe a normal household would be more than that.
You know, what, in your neighborhood, do you notice when people come and go from other people's houses and you think, he just had a birthday, they're having a big celebration. I had cars coming and going to the point where if I notice cars that are coming and going, I ask my neighbors about it. Hey, are you getting work done on your house? How's it going? I take an active interest in my community, but I think that for my story, people just didn't want to know. They didn't want to get involved. And we have to get past that bystander mentality of as long as it doesn't happen to my family. But what if I became friends with your daughter, and I unwillingly brought her into this? So we have to make the effort to be aware and to say something.
[00:43:22] Speaker B: Yeah, that's the call to action. We, we continue to look for know, get our associates comfortable with making that.
Uh, I think Paul had an example of female coming down the elevator and it triggered, it threw up a red flag. But then observing for a little bit, he was able to identify that it wasn't the case. But what are some of the things that truckers against trafficking does to help get through that, to walk through that mental checklist to empower you to make that call?
[00:44:00] Speaker C: The first thing I think is training, just like Warner does. I get so excited when I see a Warner truck on the road, because I know that you guys are making a difference. So we have over the road, we have local, we have in home videos, we've got any type of training video that you could possibly think of. And then more than that, how do we start the conversation? And you guys do a fantastic job of just saying, hey, have you thought about the fact that pornography harms people? Have you thought about the fact that human trafficking happens more than we think? If we don't start the conversation, we certainly can't finish it. And then the other thing that I think that truckers against trafficking does well as a whole, is making regular training available.
But then, like you guys are doing, we're bringing in the podcast. We're continuing the conversation, because just 130 minutes video that we offer, that's not enough. We all know that trafficking continues past a 30 minutes video. So keeping it regularly on the minds of your employees, I think that's fantastic. It's going to be a great way to kick off human trafficking awareness month. Yes, with hearing a victim story where I have conquered and I have overcome, but more than know, just like she has a name, there's still people being sold. So I'm not worried about me. I am worried about the people that are still out.
You know, honestly, Brad, you and I had a great conversation of what do drivers, you know, how can they really be an asset?
You guys are already doing it. You are making sure that we know that every individual whose sold is a human being.
And know, I apologize, but when Paul was talking about even his organization's name. She has a name. Guys, do you know that I was called every name except Liz? And I say that in the most delicate way possible.
No one cared what my name was.
So to me, what we can do, what we can all do, is get really excited about January. But don't just make it about January, because it's not one month, it's not one day. It's the fact that, okay, who's really great at math? Six to 23. That's 17 years.
17 years of my life.
I've been out for 13. Coming up on 14, I've got a tattoo on my arm.
It's actually the end of this month. I'll celebrate running away without shoes on. And I didn't have a plan.
For every person who chooses to run away without a plan, may they find a Warner and may they find a Paul, because I think that your drivers are looking for. Great. I'll do it. I believe her.
So we start with support your local organizations. I lived at a homeless shelter for a year and a half. Wasn't the worst place for me. But, hey, homeless shelters need underwear. They need food. They need resources.
So how do we, as just a culture in a community, just start caring?
We can do it, but I think it makes this uncomfortable conversation worth it. My story never should have happened. We all agree with that. But how do we just make sure that you guys are inviting me to a podcast, that you guys are making sure that you always have the right tat video, do you have the wallet cards? Do you have the latest and greatest things? Because we send them out for free.
So I think what I'd love to say is that you guys are already doing the hard work, but we just have to continue the momentum past January.
[00:47:55] Speaker B: Well, we appreciate that. We talked a lot about the training material that truckers against trafficking provides. What other outreach projects does truckers against trafficking do?
[00:48:05] Speaker C: So the first thing I want to say is that all of us have our cell phone on us. Download the tat app on Android or Apple. Make sure that it's not just a company thing. It's a personal thing. That's always huge because I always have my phone on me. But then that way, if you see something on our app, you're able to report different tips, you're able to call different hotlines. That can be helpful if people don't have either the Nebraska hotline or another hotline for a different state or even the national hotline, those are all good resources to just program into your phone automatically. So if you're in the middle of a situation, you already have it. But I'd also love to point out that we've created community resources for parents, for the general public. How to talk to your kids about porn, how to have these uncomfortable conversations, what is grooming? How do I keep my kids safe? What do we do?
And then I also want to say, because we have so many drivers here, if you help a victim, tell Warner about it so they can tell us, because we have an award called the Harriet Suffman award that we give out once a year, and it's really about a driver who's made an impact, who somehow led to a recovery situation.
We have won our most recent award. A driver was in the middle of nowhere, Montana, maybe Idaho, possibly very remote.
They literally had to call into dispatch because there was no cell service, because they saw a girl in a towel.
If you saw a girl in a towel in the middle of a snowstorm, of course you would call, and you would want to make a difference. Well, this driver did. Thankfully, it did make a difference. But to me, my story, when I ran away without shoes on in the middle of the night, guys, no one stopped. All I'm asking for is a 911 call. All I'm asking for is to call the next right person, because not all of us are equipped or need to get in the middle of a situation. But that driver did the right thing.
He called, and he said, this young lady needs help. And so dispatch was able to get local police who was able to help her. It was a trafficking situation.
We don't have to be in the middle of the crisis to make a difference for the cris.
[00:50:32] Speaker D: So, Liz, I am curious what special advantage you feel that our truck drivers have, especially being out over the road and being a part of the interstate system, which I think a lot of people are aware, is a big access point for trafficking as well.
What special vantage do you feel that they have to help?
[00:50:52] Speaker C: First of all, I think it's the fact that you're out there. I think you're out there and you're driving maybe at 02:00 a.m. When I'm home sleeping.
And also, I'd like to say that drivers are equipped to be far more aware and capable than the average driver. I know that when I'm driving, I get distracted. I think that, honestly, professional drivers.
If you could teach me how to back up a car very well, I would like to learn. So that's to all of the warner drivers, if anyone like to teach Liz how to do that.
[00:51:29] Speaker B: Can you tell us a little bit about the Freedom Drivers project that truckers against trafficking has?
[00:51:33] Speaker C: Sure can. We actually just recently came from Nebraska, and we had a really great reception. We went to a rotary event, and we had local youth that came and even some local youth that shared that they had been exploited and that it was making a big difference. It is a walkthrough mobile exhibit. So think about a truck trailer that we outfitted to become a museum. It's a 53 foot trailer. It has artifacts from survivors. It tells a story in a way that if you can't get me on a stage, artifacts are the next best thing because it starts to confront you with the reality that it's real. And so we come anywhere that invites us. Our schedule does occasionally get fairly full. We go all over the US and all over Canada.
And this Freedom Drivers project is really meant to be the conversation piece. We give talking points. We give. What's next? Now that you've seen this, what are you going to do? We talk about local organizations that they can get involved with. We talk about, okay, this is who brought us here, and this is how you can help them.
The Freedom Drivers project, to me, makes an uncomfortable conversation manageable. I love it. It's one of my favorite things that tat does.
I have been in snowstorms with the FDP. I have been all over the US and Canada. But what gets me excited is when it clicks. For someone where suddenly trafficking is real, I think that it is one of the most gentle ways to make a huge impact.
[00:53:21] Speaker E: Liz, could you share some success stories or impactful moments that have come from the Freedom Drivers project?
[00:53:29] Speaker C: I definitely can. So I think that I just mentioned it, but being in Nebraska and seeing those youth come through because the Rotary Club invited them.
Your youth already see trafficking. The freedom Drivers project is giving them the language around it. We're having events called youth on transportation, and we're going into certain cities around the US and starting this conversation piece with the youth of what do you want to see? How can we explain trafficking to you? And the biggest thing that they have said is, don't make it scary. Tell me how I can talk to my parents about this. Tell me how I can get a help from my adults in my life.
So the youth are aware of it. They just want to know how did they not scare us as oh, it's tremendous. But I am excited to say that the Freedom Drivers project, I will next see it in January and our schedule starts all over. If you would like to go to truckers against trafficking.org and click on our Freedom Drivers project, we have a schedule all over. If we're not coming to your area and we can manage it, click contact us. We would be happy to. And then we also have a virtual tour for those of you who are interested. I also have it in Spanish and in French Canadian for those who need it. But it's just a virtual walkthrough tour to give you a little example of what it's like. I know that it can't quite be for what it's in person, but it might be something interesting for people to see.
[00:55:08] Speaker D: Well, that's great. Obviously, talking about the driver side of the industry, there's also the shipper side of the industry. So could you tell us a little bit about the role of the shipping partners program?
[00:55:19] Speaker C: Absolutely. So our shipping partners program really is activating the supply chain industry that we already know exists. So it's putting a little bit of leverage and a little bit of pressure on the idea that, okay, if you're shipping for my company, here's what I expect from you. I want you to be a company of integrity. I want you to care about these social justice issues. I want you to make a difference. And so we have a step by step program that can be found on our website for the shipping Partners program. My goodness, are we activated pretty much everywhere? And some of the bigger supply chain know, even Amazon. But we were just starting to have conversation know Uber, and I know that Uber is already a partner of ours, but how do we make sure that instacart, how do we make sure that the people who are coming to our houses, how do I make sure right now that Home Depot, who is doing my kitchen, as we know, how do I make sure that they know that I care about human trafficking and that they are well taken care of and that they're safe and they're respected? It brings up great conversation points for pretty much any area of the industry.
[00:56:40] Speaker B: Talk to us about your collaborations that Tad has with law enforcement agencies, state law enforcement agencies, local law enforcement.
[00:56:51] Speaker C: Our collaboration with law enforcement really starts and begins with the reality that law enforcement does the hard work. We can create awareness all day long, but they're the ones that go in and they're the ones that make the difference. They're the ones that can put the bad guy away and they're the ones that can make the lasting change.
So some of our law enforcement efforts look like doing training. We go and we train law enforcement of, hey, here's some considerations about sex trafficking. You might not have thought about that. It looks like domestic violence, and they're like, oh, really? What? And then we're saying, okay, 20 years ago, you thought it was someone else's fault if they weren't leaving the domestic violence situation. Have you thought about the fact that sex trafficking is much of the same vein when it comes to law enforcement? We have training touches that we put out just about every three months, but we're actually launching online modules for online training opportunities where they've actually recorded me, other survivors, other law enforcement professionals for the best practices for what do you really do when a victim is staring at you? What do you really do with the undercover operations? What do you really do best, practice wise, for how to make a lasting impact? So I'm super excited that information will be out in the new year, and please just keep an eye on our website for that.
[00:58:17] Speaker E: Can you tell us about some initiatives that truckers against trafficking is currently working on to ensure that every professional driver that is out there is trained and aware of how they can be a big impact on human trafficking?
[00:58:34] Speaker C: When it comes to making a big impact for the issue of human trafficking, it starts on the federal level. To me, it starts with being brought to the table for anti human trafficking initiatives, as we have. And Werner's a part of that anti trafficking initiative that's huge. But then it filters down. It's making sure that there's the anti trafficking in person or tip policy, where every company should have a policy in place that would make a difference, that says no employee can spend company time or resources purchasing another human being. And you'd think, well, of course they shouldn't. But if you don't spell it out, this is just a great way to just be on the cutting edge. Werner is a huge part of that. And it just implements a culture that respects. Implements a culture that makes a difference. And then we go from the federal level to the state level, where we're involved in policy making, where we're saying, hey, have you thought about for your commercial drivers, that you're making sure that they should watch a 30 minutes video on human trafficking, that they should have refresher courses, that when they go for their license again, shouldn't we send a wallet card? Shouldn't we send information about human trafficking? Shouldn't we just do these things because it could make a difference.
[01:00:04] Speaker E: Liz, I'd like to ask you, I'm a mom of two teenage boys, and as we talk through this whole podcast, I've been made more aware of how young it starts. And it doesn't just impact girls and women, but it can impact boys as well.
How do I engage my sons to a become advocates against human trafficking? And what are some tips to have those conversations with them?
[01:00:37] Speaker C: So some of those tips and tricks and resources, I'm definitely going to actually send your team after this podcast so you can link it. Just because I think that our parenting resources, our different things we've come up with will be helpful. But I do always want to point out, and Paul mentioned, know, boys are trafficked too. They're victims too. Sexual abuse happens and you usually know the person. So we always have to teach our boys just as much of our girls. Their bodies are sacred and that no one deserves to touch them that way. So I start with that past that you're already doing it. You are teaching your boys to be respectful, to be kind, to be genuine, to be protectors. I know you're already doing it because if you weren't doing it, you wouldn't ask these questions.
But starting that goes to our porn culture. It goes to, hey, I know this is everywhere, but I just want you to know, as a family, this is what we would prefer, this is what we would expect when it goes to rape culture and rape culture jokes.
Unfortunately, it's countercultural at this point. For what we're asking people to do, we have to culture shift.
We have gone through quite a movement in our society where we're talking about how sexual abuse has been rampant, that women have been maligned or not believed.
So we start with our boys and we say, believe someone. Stand up for them. I know you're already doing it. I will never come from a place of shame because the reality is, to me, men aren't the problem. They're not our sexual culture.
That can be problematic. But I'm married, my husband loves me.
I've got great men in my neighborhood who come by, they give me a hug, they check on my household. They were doing that as we were filming today. Hey, there's somebody outside your house. You good? It's a construction crew. I'm okay. Do you want me to come and wait inside until your husband gets home?
They care.
And for someone who grew up believing that I was invisible and that no one cared, that's what it takes, is that people will always go the extra step, even if you can't change anything. You can't change my story, and that's okay.
But what we can do is make sure that for the next person that we believe them to begin with, that we love them, that we help them through these things, that we support people like Paul. And she has a name that Werner is already doing exactly what we would ask them to do to make sure that no victim ever feels invisible.
[01:03:51] Speaker F: Just, Liz, I just want to thank you for sharing your story and the courage and the strength you have, but also the determination that you have for others.
And I met a woman years ago and she said to me, I was reflecting on her past, and she said to me, she goes, that's not who I am. That's who I was.
And I think what's awesome about what you do know, Tat, is that I learned this this year over and over again. Without the voice of a survivor, what can we really do? And it's not a matter of exploiting survivors using their stories, but it's using your voice because of your past. And that's what Megan does with us. And I just commend you on that.
And care for yourself because there are things I'm sure you get triggered by and you're the heart and soul of this mission with know. And that's. I just, I sincerely just want to thank you. And I look forward to visiting with you too in the future.
[01:04:58] Speaker C: Oh, absolutely. And you know what, guys?
You're right. I am the heart and soul of what tat looks to do, and that's to make sure a victim feels believed that a victim is given the opportunity to be helped into a greater future than their past.
So to that, I look forward to how do we help the next person?
[01:05:24] Speaker D: In speaking about how do we help the next person? And maybe Paul and Liz, we could get some insight from the both of you, but we've talked a lot know ways that we can help prevent in speaking with our children and speaking with the general public. What are some things that maybe a family member starts noticing something seems off. What would be maybe some best suggestions that you may have to give that family member or friend that's concerned that someone they love may be in this situation?
[01:05:57] Speaker F: Yeah, Liz, I'll go first. I'm sitting right across from know. I think it's a great question because even our youth today, when they see maybe change of behavior of a classmate, they don't even have to be their best friend, but they do come alongside them and they do show that support. That's why we have this big thing in our society right now, be kind. Well, what's that mean? That means care about others more than yourself. And anytime my kids went to school, I always said, when you see that student over there that's sitting by themselves or in that corner standing by themselves, try to make it a point to go over and talk with them. And so when you see someone, their behavior is changing, they feel more isolated. They're not as maybe happy as they used to be. There could be a lot of things going on, but it could be this. And regardless of it is or it isn't being sexually exploited, they need someone, and I think it's just coming alongside. And, Liz, you just keep touching on that, touching on that.
You just need to be there and be present and have those conversations. And it's okay to ask, are you okay? And they may say, I'm fine. And then you ask again, some other time, are you okay?
I'm concerned about you. This can be between just you and I. It doesn't have to go anywhere else. And then they can start to open up.
It's just loving one another. Pretty simple.
[01:07:26] Speaker C: And I think we can't be afraid to teach our young people words and language around human trafficking. I had a high school best friend whose parents were like unofficial foster parents to me. They were in the foster care system, and I spent a lot of time over there, but I did not have the words to say. When I go to my mom's house, this is what's happening to me. I didn't have the language for it. So arming ourselves with I love the Delgados to this day.
Mom and dad Delgado. I talked with them the other night, and they say, how are you doing, Liz? If I had only known, if I had known how to help you in this way. So they knew that my mom was a bad person. They did. They knew that they didn't trust her. They knew that they didn't know what else they could do. But what I'm saying is, they did the right thing. They loved me. To the place where now, as an adult, I can say thank you for loving me.
They couldn't change everything.
Maybe we didn't have the resources. Maybe we didn't have the structure then, but I think that if they had had the parenting resources, if you guys want to look up endingthegame.com, I teach all their online classes. It's another great one. They have some parenting resources and some at risk youth resources to hopefully make sure that youth don't get trafficked to begin with. But if they do, here's some other things. But I will say that parents of my high school best friend made a tremendous difference. Just because they loved me, just because they gave me dinner, just because they were there. Don't ever underestimate the power of just being there.
[01:09:23] Speaker D: And speaking on some of those resources. I know you've touched a lot on the different things that tat has for initiatives and online options. What are some ways that tat has evolved over time to kind of encapsulate the Internet and the constantly changing society?
[01:09:43] Speaker C: We are coming up on a pretty big birthday. We have been around since 2009. So if we think about just how our society has changed from 2009 to almost 2024, tremendous. We started out where we were gathered around someone's kitchen table, thinking, if I just get the word out, it could make a difference. And it does. But now we've gone from if I get a truck driver, a wallet card, how do we think bigger? How do we change society in that way? I would definitely encourage everyone to go to truckers against trafficking.org, click on get involved, the general public. We have the different links, but I would always come back to the reality that all of our materials are free because of sponsors like Werner.
Because we don't ever want someone to have the excuse for I can't get involved or I can't have these resources because I can't afford them. We want to make sure that if someone wants these resources, that they have them.
[01:10:50] Speaker A: Paul, Liz, we appreciate the time today. This was no small chunk of time. We appreciate your willingness to tell your stories and to speak about both of your organizations.
So for the listener, we've covered a lot of additional resources that are available. Paul mentioned a few. I've got a name. And then also there is the truckers against trafficking app. But really the call to action there is if you see something, call 911. Don't hesitate to call 911.
If there is something that's not necessarily 911 material. The National Human Trafficking hotline is 888-37-3788 you can also find for those Warner drivers that are listening, more information in the drive war pro appear.
