Beer distributors are uniquely positioned to aid state and federal law enforcement agencies in spotting signs of human trafficking due to their unique access to locations often unseen by the public as they visit around 600,000 licensed retail locations across the country.
“Adding beer distributors to the fight against human trafficking is one of the most strategic partnerships I’ve encountered,” said Camila Zolfaghari, executive director at the anti-human trafficking nonprofit Street Grace and a former human trafficking prosecutor. Zolfaghari noted beer distribution employees’ regular behind-the-scenes access to bars, restaurants, hotels, truck stops, convenience stores and more.
The Distributors Against Human Trafficking initiative centers around a short training video featuring Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and nonprofit Street Grace, along with resources like tip cards and truck signs that outline common red flags and behaviors associated with human trafficking.