Terrance A. Smith Distributing partnered with National Beer Wholesalers Association to train 50 employees to identify and report signs of human trafficking in first year of campaign
Anderson, IN– Terrance A. Smith Distributing partnered with the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) to conduct an awareness training to educate employees on recognizing and reporting the warning signs of human trafficking. Terrance A. Smith Distributing’s efforts are part of a nationwide campaign to help combat human trafficking in communities across the United States.
“As a local business, Terrance A. Smith Distributing is always looking for ways to make a difference in our local communities,” said Terrance Smith, Jr. “Sadly, every community is vulnerable to the horrors of human trafficking, and East Central Indiana is no exception. The hardworking folks of Terrance A. Smith Distributing, who visit hundreds of licensed retail locations each week, are now prepared to be an extra set of eyes and ears on the ground in the fight against human trafficking.”
Human trafficking continues to plague communities in the United States. In 2019 alone, the Polaris Project identified 22,326 victims and survivors of human trafficking, up 20 percent from the year prior. Additionally, it disproportionately targets already-vulnerable populations like women and children. Over half of the active criminal human trafficking cases in the U.S. involved children.
Terrance A. Smith Distributing employees will complete the initial awareness training session by the end of the year. Employees will be provided tools and resources to help them spot suspicious behaviors and alert authorities while on their routes.
To date, the Distributors Against Human Trafficking campaign has successfully trained nearly 24,000 beer distributors from 206 companies, surpassing its initial goal to train 10,000 distributors by the end of 2021. Now, NBWA aims to train at least 25,000 distributors by the end of the year—greatly expanding the reach and impact of this life-saving campaign.
“We are incredibly proud of the growth of the Distributors Against Human Trafficking initiative since its launch,” said NBWA President and CEO Craig Purser. “With the investment and dedication of distributors in every state across the country, we continue to train thousands of employees to recognize the signs of human trafficking on their daily routes, strengthening the forces working relentlessly against this criminal industry—including right here in Indiana”
Terrance A. Smith Distributing hopes to see this initiative grow and is committed to serving as a valuable partner to NBWA and our fellow distributors across the country in this campaign.
Terrance A. Smith Distributing is locally owned and operated in Anderson, IN. The company services over 800 retail accounts and offers 400+ beverages including beer, cider, water, energy-drinks, wine, and many more. To learn more about Terrance A. Smith Distributing, visit: www.tasmithdist.com
