Human Trafficking Awareness

In January 2020, Greenlink received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative, which provides funding for projects to help prevent human trafficking and other crimes on public transportation. Greenlink is using its grant to conduct an 18-month education and awareness campaign that includes the following three phases:

PHASE 1: September 2020 – November 2020

Public Survey

Greenlink launched Phase 1 with a survey to help determine the public’s existing knowledge and perception of human trafficking in Greenville County. The survey was conducted onboard Greenlink buses and online from September 14 to October 11, 2020. A copy of the survey questions and the correct answers can be downloaded as a PDF.

Open House Events

Greenlink hosted two drop-in style open house events to discuss the purpose of the project and the proposed timeline, and share the results of the survey. Attendees had the opportunity to provide feedback on messaging that will be installed inside Greenlink buses to help raise awareness about human trafficking in our community. 

Open House #1
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Greenlink Transit Center - Bus Terminal
100 W McBee Avenue

Open House #2
Thursday, November 12, 2020
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Greenlink Transit Center - Bus Terminal
100 W McBee Avenue

Couldn't attend in person? A video recording covering the material is posted below. The public also could submit ideas and feedback for the campaign via an online form that was open November 9 - 20, 2020.

PHASE 2: December 2020 – August 2021 

Greenlink Employee Training

Greenlink’s community partners SWITCH, Jasmine Road, Bon Secours Health System and the Greenville County Sherriff’s Office will conduct three training sessions on human trafficking for Greenlink bus drivers, supervisors and dispatchers. 

Training Session #1
December 2020

Training Session #2
June 2021

Training Session #3
August 2021

Greenlink Customer Training

Greenlink’s community partners SWITCH, Jasmine Road, Bon Secours Health System and the Greenville County Sherriff’s Office will conduct three small-group training sessions on human trafficking for Greenlink customers and members of Greenlink’s operations division. 

Training Session #1
Friday, December 11, 2020
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Greenlink Transit Center
100 W McBee Avenue

This training was also offered virtually. You may watch a recording of this training here. The video is password protected; enter this password when prompted: Wckxspp7.

Training Session #2
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Virtual

Jasmine Road’s Coercion Through “Choice” is a simulation training exercise that provides an interactive learning experience about the realities of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Participants are provided with the backstory and current situation of a hypothetical woman based on the real-life experiences of local survivors of trafficking and prostitution in Greenville. 

Participants then have the opportunity to put themselves in the survivor’s shoes and make their own choices as they attempt to escape and overcome obstacles that many women face on a daily basis. The choices they make throughout the exercise determine the outcome of their experience, creating a unique and individual learning opportunity for each participant. 

Ultimately, Coercion Through “Choice” illustrates the reality that prostitution is most often the “choice” for those with the fewest choices. Register here to attend this virtual training on Wednesday, June 23.

Training Session #3
August 2021
*Details to come

The training sessions are designed to educate Greenlink employees and customers on the warning signs of human trafficking and the resources that are available for the public.

Public Safety Roundtables

In addition to raising awareness about human trafficking, Greenlink and local law enforcement agencies are also taking this opportunity to host two events where Greenlink customers can discuss any other crime and safety concerns they may have. 

Listening Session #1
Friday, February 5, 2021
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
On-Board Greenlink Bus Routes
502: White Horse
504: Anderson
507: Augusta 

Couldn't attend in person? Do you ever feel unsafe waiting at a bus stop? Do you ever feel unsafe while riding a bus? Do you ever feel unsafe at the Transit Center? Submit your feedback by calling 864-298-2756 or emailing nmcaden@greenvillesc.gov..

A recap of customers' feedback received on February 5, 2021, is provided below:

Listening Session #2
July 2021
*Details to come

PHASE 3: September 2021 – January 2022 

Greenlink Employee Orientation Video

Greenlink will produce a video about human trafficking to share with all new employees during orientation. The video will also be available for employees who want a refresher on the issues. (September 2021).

Public Survey

Greenlink will conduct a survey to determine if Greenlink customers’ awareness and understanding of human trafficking have increased since the campaign began (October 2021).

Open House Events

Greenlink will host drop-in style open house events to recap the campaign and unveil the survey results (December 2021).

Public Awareness Event

In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, which is recognized annually on January 11, Greenlink will hold a large-scale public awareness event to mark the end of the campaign (January 2022).