Two employees of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) didn't just follow the rules of the road; they went beyond, trusting their gut to stop suspected cases of human trafficking. Abeer Basidiq, Supervisor at the Gainesville Travel Information Center, and LaViza Matthews, a TxDOT traffic safety specialist, both took decisive actions that led to the rescue of victims ensnared in this horrific crime.
Basidiq, who encountered two malnourished young men and their pets at her workplace in 2022, invited them in for a private talk after sensing something amiss. According to a story by TxDOT "Trusting instincts and taking action against human trafficking", her instincts proved accurate when the men revealed they were victims of trafficking. Her quick thinking led to their rescue with the assistance of victim advocates and law enforcement. "If you feel something is off, go with your first gut instinct," Basidiq told TxDOT.
Matthews experienced a similar situation back in 2004 while working as a trainer and victim advocate. She too had to quickly act upon her gut feeling during a shift at the local hospital. As reported by TxDOT, Matthews sensed unusual behavior in a family case where three children were suspected victims of sexual assault. The mother, found asleep and under the influence, and the father's peculiar demeanor, led Matthews to alert the police, uncovering the truth that the parents were trafficking their own children.
Matthew's continued commitment to fighting human trafficking extends to educating others on recognizing the red flags. "Matthews was shocked that parents in her own community were trafficking their children for drugs and money," stated the TxDOT release, emphasizing the importance of awareness and education. She continues her advocacy by ensuring victim-advocate trainees are well versed in the signs of human trafficking and by stressing the role of TxDOT employees in spotting these instances, as "traffickers are using our Texas roads to transport their victims."
Through vigilance and education, this demonstrates that everyone can contribute to creating safer communities and lend a helping hand to the victims of such crimes. TxDOT's campaign "On the Road to End Human Trafficking" aims to extend this message by educating employees and the public on the importance of being able to identify and report suspicious behavior indicative of trafficking.
