Esther Goetsch
Executive Director of Truckers Against Trafficking
Executive Director of Truckers Against Trafficking
I was asked to take on the role after the former executive director and co-founder decided to move on to new opportunities. For those of us on the TAT team, the work we do is more than just a day job but truly is a passion, and so to be able to lead such a fantastic and dedicated team and continue this meaningful work that has been built over the last 12 years has been an honor.
In 2016, I came on staff as a part-time employee to begin running the Coalition Build program, which at the time, was just starting to take off. That program brings together key decision-makers in the trucking, bus, and energy industries, law enforcement, and key government agencies to develop local strategies to combat human trafficking. I have always been a problem solver and bridge-builder, so the Coalition Builds program immediately captured me. As I learned more about human trafficking and the systems change work TAT is doing through the transportation sector, I began to take on new roles and responsibilities within the organization.
TAT provides free-of-charge, accessible, industry-specific training, which includes a documentary-style training video and wallet card. Professional drivers or truck stop employees should call 911 if they are witnessing a crime in progress, and then call the National Human Trafficking Hotline so the data can be tracked, no matter where they are, night or day. They can make calls anonymously and confidentially to the hotline whether witnessing a trafficking situation or to access victim services.
We work with companies to add the training as part of their onboarding process with each new driver, and we work with trucking schools, law enforcement and government agencies to be advocates of the information and training.
Industry Mascot “Safety Sammy” travels the country as a symbol of America’s most essential industry: trucking!
Industry Mascot “Safety Sammy” travels the country as a symbol of America’s most essential industry: trucking!