This week's Someone 2 Know, Kim Yaeger, works for Nevada Trucking Association - a nonprofit developed to promote and protect the interests of the trucking and bus industries, and a founding member of Supporting Our Survivors.

More than a decade ago, Yeager became aware of the problem with sex trafficking in our state. Then, she helped launched the Nevada chapter of Truckers Against Trafficking - and she's has been fighting for the cause, ever since.

There are three things Kim Yeager is passionate about…

  • The trucking industry; "Because without them, America stops,” she tells us
  • Putting an end to sex trafficking; "I was just shocked that sex trafficking was actually really happening,” Kim shares, “And that the numbers are so high in Reno and in the Tahoe area."
  • And her beloved family. "I love my children, and I love all children, actually, I really do. I think they're such a blessing in our lives."

While the three things may not immediately seem connected to one another, to Kim, they definitely are. “It just breaks my heart when I hear about children that fall victim to these mind-manipulating people, making billions of dollars while damaging them.”

Traffickers, or pimps, often choose victims under the age of 18 - and very commonly younger than 15.

“They fall into it because maybe they are looking for attention, maybe they wanna feel like they belong somewhere.”

Sex trafficking is defined as a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be physical or psychological.

Truckers Against Trafficking, a national nonprofit, was created to educate and empower members of the trucking and bus industries to combat human trafficking. Along with Nevada Trucking Association, Yeager helped launch the Nevada chapter that offers trainings.

"They have it for truck drivers, they have it for warehouse, they have it for shipping, they have it for bus, they have it for law enforcement."

Yeager also helped create Supporting Our Survivors local nonprofit for victims of human trafficking. Fundraisers like golf tournaments and more - provide money for programs and victims. Yeager hopes we can all do our part to help.

"Because if you think something's wrong, it's - there's probably something wrong - and don't ever be afraid to make a call, because it's better to be wrong, then to be right."

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In 2013 the Nevada Attorney General's office & Nevada Trucking Association spearheaded a campaign to combat sex trafficking in Nevada and created legislation that defined sex trafficking as a crime & increased penalty for perpetrators.

Since passage of this legislation, members of Supporting Our Survivors have been raising money for victims & survivors of sex trafficking.

More information is available using the following links -

Supporting Our Survivors https://www.supportingoursurvivors.com/home

National Human Trafficking hotline Call 1-888-373-7888 | Text “Be Free” (233733)

Awaken – Reno/Northern Nevada; a local faith-based non-profit organization whose mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and to provide housing and restoration for its victims. https://awakenreno.org/

National Human Trafficking hotline, Nevada https://humantraffickinghotline.org/state/nevada

Nevada Trucking Association  https://nevadatrucking.com/

Truckers Against Trafficking https://truckersagainsttrafficking.org/

Nevada Attorney General’s Office https://ag.nv.gov/Human_Trafficking/HT_Home/