Con-way Truckload Joins the Fight Against Human Trafficking
Trucking company partners with Truckers Against Trafficking to raise awareness and educate the public about nationwide issue
JOPLIN, Mo, April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Con-way Truckload, a full truckload carrier and subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced its partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), a 501(c) 3 that exists to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the trucking and travel plaza industries to combat human trafficking.
Human trafficking — the second-largest source of illegal income worldwide, exceeded only by drug trafficking — has been reported in all 50 states, and the number of victims in the U.S. is estimated in the hundreds of thousands. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that anywhere between 100,000 and 300,000 American children are at risk of being forced into the sex trade each year.
"Truck drivers are the eyes and ears of our nation's highways," said Kylla Lanier, deputy director, Truckers Against Trafficking. "They are in a unique position to make a difference in our efforts to stop those who would seek to exploit our transportation system and harm our children for personal gain."
Kevin Kimmel, a professional driver for Con-way Truckload, was recently recognized for his role in saving a young woman who had been kidnapped and was being held against her will at a truck stop in Virginia.
"Something about the situation just didn't feel right to me," said Kimmel. "I called the police figuring that if I was wrong, I'd be putting a damper on someone's vacation for 15 minutes, but if I was right, I'd maybe be making a big difference in that girl's life."
"We've trained over 1,000 drivers through the Trucking Against Traffickers program in the past year," said Joseph Dagnese, president of Con-way Truckload. "We're very proud of Kevin and his courage and willingness to intervene. His actions could very well have saved this young woman's life."
Kimmel received the Harriet Tubman Award from Truckers Against Trafficking and also recognition as a Highway Angel from the Truckload Carriers Association.
Dana Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, provided the following statement about human trafficking and in recognition of Kimmel's efforts.
The United Nations has described human trafficking as a "crime that shames us all," and earlier this year, Attorney General Eric Holder stated that human trafficking is a "global crisis." Over the last five years, U.S. Attorney offices nationwide have prosecuted record numbers of human trafficking cases, including forced labor and the sex trafficking of both adults and juveniles, and of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. This collaborative effort — which relies on the critical contributions of federal, state, and local law enforcement and our non-governmental partners in the victim services community — has allowed us to confront the problem of human trafficking and has led to record numbers of investigations, prosecutions and convictions. The American public also plays an important role in this effort. Human trafficking crimes cannot be solved without people like Mr. Kimmel providing critically important tips to law enforcement, and awareness programs like Truckers Against Trafficking are very beneficial in providing education to truck drivers and bringing awareness to this national issue.
For more information on Truckers Against Trafficking, please visit http://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org.
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About Con-way Truckload
Joplin, Missouri-based Con-way Truckload is a leading provider of time-definite dry-van full-truckload transportation services throughout the U.S., with extensive coverage of Mexico and service for Canada. With 3,350 employees, 2,900 of whom are company drivers and dedicated owner-operators piloting a fleet of 2,900 tractors and 8,000 trailers, Con-way Truckload provides solo, team and dedicated trucking operations, with a focus on superior performance built on Lean continuous improvement methodologies to drive efficiencies and consistent quality service. With a workplace culture built on respect for employees and recognition of their professional skill and expertise as our keys to success, Con-way Truckload strives every day to deliver value-added services that help Fortune 500 businesses achieve supply chain goals. Visit Con-way Truckload on the web at www.con-way.com/truckload or call (800) 641-4747.
Con-way Truckload is an operating unit of Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW),a $5.8 billion diversified freight transportation and global logistics company (www.con-way.com).
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