Possible Points of Intervention

Numerous articles and reports on human trafficking in the United States as well as survivor's stories have indicated that there are places along the human trafficking transportation network where a public awareness and education campaign and law enforcement would make a significant impact and could rescue victims before they are exploited.

A recent article in The Charlotte Observer, noted that a human trafficker would routinely pick up women outside of a McDonald's near the interstate where other traffickers had dropped them off. A 2005 Department of Justice Report noted that human traffickers stopped at fast food restaurants, discount retail stores and gas stations in particular as they transported victims to their final destination to be exploited.

A public awareness campaign to educate the employees of these businesses on how to identify potential victims of human trafficking, the placement of brochures in public areas and restrooms that inform potential victims of their rights and give the phone numbers of victim assistance providers, and having law enforcement "on the lookout" at these places would all be effective measures to combat human trafficking.