January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day took place on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. With employees working on the state’s roads every day, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is on the front lines of the state’s fight against human trafficking. This January, MoDOT asks everyone to help prevent human trafficking by learning the signs and what to do if you suspect human trafficking is occurring.
Places such as rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores,
fast-food establishments and hotels are common locations for the practice of
human trafficking.
MoDOT provides specialized training to employees on how to
identify the common indicators of human trafficking and what to do when
trafficking is suspected in Missouri.
Some of the warning signs of a potential trafficking
situation include signs of physical abuse, branding tattoos, wearing clothing
inappropriate for the weather or location, not being in possession of their
money or identification, body language indicating discomfort, lack of eye
contact with anyone except their trafficker or not being allowed to speak for
themselves.
If you suspect someone is being forced to engage in any
activity from which they can’t leave — whether it is commercial sex, housework,
farm work or other activity — call the National Human Trafficking Resource
Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). Information is
available online at humantraffickinghotline.org. Please save the National Human
Trafficking Hotline number as a contact in your cellphone: 1-888-373-7888. If
someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
