Three mothers who are also leaders in the transportation industry are joining forces to fight against trafficking from within.
The trucking industry is the backbone of the economy, responsible for transporting nearly every product found on store shelves.
Human trafficking is a grim reality that many truckers come face to face with amidst the noise of engines and the flurry of goods being transported.
Sharon Siar, the founder of Talon Freight Services, has dedicated 35 years to the transportation industry. With a deep-rooted passion for the business, she has gained a profound understanding of its inner workings. However, amidst her love for transportation, she cannot ignore the horrifying truth of child trafficking that occurs within the industry.
Siar revealed that they are often the first to witness instances of trafficking.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, Texas has the second-highest number of human trafficking cases. A report from the University of Texas in 2016 estimated that over 300,000 Texans, including 79,000 youth, are being trafficked.
Siar acknowledges that certain organizations raise awareness about human trafficking and there are individuals who rescue survivors. However, she emphasizes the urgent need for mental health services to support survivors after their rescue.
Siar fondly remembers her late sister, Tracy, who unfortunately experienced a traumatic sexual assault in her early 20s. Regrettably, Tracy never received the much-needed counseling and support to help her heal from the incident. As a result, her struggles escalated into a devastating tragedy.
Siar mentioned that she passed away at a young age.
Siar took it upon herself to tackle the shortcomings in survivor support by co-founding Gift of Freedom, a nonprofit organization that offers counseling services to survivors of trafficking.
Siar has joined forces with Kristy Knichel, CEO of Knichel Logistics, and Nicole Glenn, founder of Candor Logistics Management. These three remarkable women, who are not only industry leaders but also mothers, are determined to fight against trafficking from within the transportation sector.
“They have experienced unimaginable horrors and have been compelled to commit unspeakable acts,” Siar stated. “It is crucial to ensure that they are genuinely liberated.”
Glenn expressed his concern about the situation, emphasizing that it is taking place in his own neighborhood and directly impacting the well-being of his children who attend school there.
Last year, the trio initiated the Gift of Freedom project, and just three weeks ago, they officially launched it. Their main objective is to raise awareness about the issue at hand and offer crucial mental health resources to young survivors.
Glenn explained that the concept of counseling aims to liberate the mind.
The founders of Gift of Freedom are taking action to address the role of their industry in the movement of trafficking victims. Their goal is to equip survivors with the necessary tools to heal and break free from the cycle of human trafficking.