Contributed by Ciana Moore

Ride sharing has raised safety concerns for human trafficking but Uber is working to raise awareness and stop human trafficking. Uber has partnered with ECPAT-USA, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Truckers Against Trafficking and more to raise awareness and advocate for legislation on human trafficking.

In 2016, Uber pledged their commitment to combating human trafficking by signing ECPAT’s The Code, written guidelines to help companies prevent sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Human trafficking is defined as “organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or involuntary labor).”

In 2017, the International Labor Organization did a study on “modern slavery.” They found that human trafficking affects 24.9 million people around the world each year. One in 4 human trafficking victims are children.

Uber has released some tips to the public on how drivers and others in the community can identify human trafficking and what to do. Some signs of human trafficking included signs of emotional abuse and distress, evidence of physical abuse, and children being dropped off or picked up in unsafe locations.

If you suspect human trafficking, Uber has provided ways you can help. To reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline, call 1-800-373-7888 or text “Help” to 233733. To reach the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or go to CyberTipline.org.