Human trafficking is a global epidemic that impacts the cities and communities where we live, the restaurants where we dine, and the streets where we drive. The International Labour Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims in modern slavery, including 24.9 million in forced labour globally. 

Today, in honour of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Uber is reinforcing the commitment we’ve made to raise awareness around this heinous crime by developing new educational materials with guidance from ECPAT-USA, and sending them to riders, drivers, and Uber delivery-partners in the United States and Canada.  

Uber is also expanding its anti-human trafficking efforts across Latin America, the UK and Canada. In Canada we’re collaborating with The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking (The Centre). The Centre launched the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline in May 2019 to assist victims and survivors by connecting them with local social service providers, emergency services, and law enforcement in communities across Canada. 

In 2016, Uber became the first and only company in the on-demand space to sign the The Code to help prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in the travel and tourism industry. Uber continued its committment to disrupting human trafficking in 2018 with a pledge to educate Uber driver-partners on how to spot and report potential signs of human trafficking in partnership with ECPAT-USA, The McCain Institute, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Polaris, and Thorn. 

Uber has a unique role to play because riders, driver-partners, and Eats delivery-partners are the eyes and ears on the road. We have the opportunity to be a part of the solution by utilizing our technology and expansive network to mobilize communities and help educate everyone who uses Uber on what to do when they suspect someone is in a potentially dangerous situation. 

 

“Awareness of this crime is crucial to supporting victims and survivors,” said Barbara Gosse, CEO of The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. “Uber driver-partners and their passengers can play a unique role in assisting potential victims and survivors of human trafficking. This collaboration demonstrates how companies, individuals, and communities can work together to prevent and end this crime.”    

“Since 2015, Uber has been committed to working with ECPAT-USA to protect children and prevent exploitation,” said Michelle Guelbart, Director of Private Sector Engagement at ECPAT-USA. “Using the scope and scale of their global community, Uber has been able to educate and empower thousands in how they can end trafficking. We are proud to partner with them on their latest initiative to fight exploitation.”

By spreading awareness through educating our partners, we hope to disrupt the human trafficking industry and take a step towards building safer communities for everyone. 

If someone is in immediate danger, alert emergency services by calling 911. Do not intervene directly.

In Canada, report anything suspicious to the confidential Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: (1-833-900-1010)