TBAT shares how to join fight against human trafficking

JACKSON, Tenn. — A state official visits the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club to share how you can join the fight against a rising issue.

“Human trafficking touches all 95 counties, so we’re trying to get the word out across the state about this program so that businesses and organizations can figure out how they can join in the fight against human trafficking,” said Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In 2023, Hargett was able to have Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking, also known as TBAT, passed to help stop human trafficking in Tennessee.

“We’ve had over 250 businesses signed up right now, we’re conducting training each week. We’re doing them virtually and in person, we hope that people will see this and see how they can get their businesses involved,” said Hargett.

In 2023 the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Unit conducted a study that showed West Tennessee received 265 reported calls related to human trafficking.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, businesses can unknowingly aid in human trafficking by working with suppliers and vendors who are involved and by not understanding what human trafficking actually is.

“My plan is for Tennessee to be a place where people who do human trafficking realize this is not a place for them to do it. Also to set this example for other states out there how they can successfully fight against human trafficking so we can bring an end to this problem,” said Hargett.

TBAT has training that teaches business owners, staff and community members what signs to look out for with victims of human trafficking and the next steps to take.

“Sometimes it may be as simple as this person just does not belong here, they are not making eye contact with somebody or they seem to be very attached to somebody else inexplicably that don’t look like they belong together. There’s all kind of queues that people can look learn to look for,” said Hargett.

The U.S Small Business Administration reports that knowing the terminology in human trafficking, recognizing the red flags, and bringing awareness to the problem and can help bring it to an end.

To get involved with Tennessee Businesses Against Trafficking, click here.

For more news across the state, click here.