Metra is hosting its second “Routes to Safety” conference this June dedicated to strengthening collaboration among transportation professionals, law enforcement, and social services in the fight against human trafficking.

The free in-person and virtual conference will be held June 10 at the Chicago-Kent College of Law/Illinois Institute of Technology, 565 W. Adams. To register, please go to metra.com/RoutesToSafety. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.

The conference will encourage enhanced awareness, build resources, and create safer communities. Attendees will gain tools and knowledge to recognize and combat human trafficking effectively. Join this crucial initiative — together, we can make a difference.

Metra has been trying to raise awareness and foster community engagement in the fight against human trafficking both internally and externally. It has been training conductors and other front-line employees to recognize the signs of human trafficking so they can act, and has placed posters on trains that encourage the public to look for and report the issue.

The posters include the tagline, “Don’t Look Away,” and urge riders to report to the conductor or Metra Police at 312-322-2800 if they see anything suspicious. They ask riders to provide descriptions of clothing, notable features, vehicle plates, stations, and train numbers.

There also is a QR code that links to the website of Reclaim13, a nonprofit organization that fights sexual abuse and exploitation and provides healing programs and therapy for victims.