January 09, 2024
Campaign begins during Human Trafficking Prevention Month
ALBANY, NY (January 9, 2024) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is partnering with Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT, formerly ECPAT-USA) on a new research-based campaign aimed at ending child sex trafficking. The campaign, which kicks off today, Tuesday, January 9, focuses on educating CDTA Bus Operators, customers, and the community on how to identify the signs of trafficking and how to safely report it.
The campaign, Transit Against Child Trafficking (TACT), https://www.wearepact.org/tact-campaign, is being launched in the Capital Region with the assistance of CDTA and with Rio Metro Regional Transit District in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe region of New Mexico. TACT leverages decades of expertise with some of the nation’s leading experts on mass transit and data analytics.
“Through our research and our many conversations with survivors, PACT recognizes that sex traffickers exploit public transportation to move their victims in plain sight of people going about their day,” said PACT Chief Executive Officer Lori L. Cohen. “Through this campaign, we will equip public transportation riders and employees with credible information to increase their awareness about child sex trafficking and the tools to respond to it safely.”
The public awareness and education campaign, which will eventually be rolled out at other transit agencies across the country, will include social media, email communications, advertisements in and around public transit locations, signage in and on buses and trains, within transit authority offices, and training developed for transit employees.
The Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking Research, Analysis, and Information Sharing Subcommittee has acknowledged a lack of national data on the intersections between transportation industries and human trafficking. Typically, data is fragmented, with only regional numbers and local statistics available in the country, failing to provide a holistic view of the issue.
“CDTA is proud to be a leader in educating the public on this important issue,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “The DOT created an advisory council because they recognize the work that needs to be done across the transit industry. Educating the community on what signs to look for and how to report potential incidents safely and effectively without causing further harm makes our region as a whole safer. If we can contribute in some small way to make a difference, we have a responsibility to our community and those children to participate.”
TACT is part of a federally funded project led in partnership with a team of researchers who will produce one of the only national reports about child sex trafficking at the intersection of public transportation to paint a more accurate picture of the landscape. The pilot campaign is designed in collaboration with PACT Survivors' Council members.
###
About PACT
PACT is the leading anti-child trafficking organization in the United States seeking to end child sexual exploitation and trafficking through education, partnerships, and legislative advocacy. PACT is a member of ECPAT International, a global network with one common mission: to eliminate the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children around the world. For more information, visit www.WeArePACT.org. Please email TACT@WeArePACT.org for media inquiries.
About CDTA
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) was created in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, as a public benefit corporation. Today CDTA is the premier mobility provider in the Capital Region, providing fixed route bus service, paratransit services, on-demand service, bike share are electric car share. CDTA owns and operates the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station in Rensselaer and the Saratoga Springs Train Stations. CDTA also operates the Northway (NX) and Thruway Xpress (TX) commuter service. CDTA was named the best transit system in the country by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in 2017. For more information, visit www.cdta.org