Establish a Human Trafficking Survivor Services Fund
NAHT requests an allocation of $1M specifically for human trafficking survivor services. Currently eight private, nonprofit organizations provide residential programs that are solely or primarily dedicated to the unique needs of survivors of human trafficking but with zero financial support from state government. A map of these facilities is provided on the next page.
Amend Iowa Code 710A
Propose amendments to the definition of child sex trafficking victims by removing the requirement for a third-party controller, which can limit the protection and support available to these vulnerable individuals.
Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Screenings
NAHT requests state agencies be required to screen all children referred to them for any reason to be screened for commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC). Such screenings are critical because CSEC victims often go unidentified due to a lack of proper training and protocols among those who first encounter them.
Strengthen Victim Assistance – Pass Key Components of 2024’s HSB 746
NAHT requests the Iowa Legislature:
- Direct the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking to facilitate an annual meeting of stakeholders to develop legislative proposals to bolster anti-human trafficking efforts by submitting a report of recommendations to the governor and general assembly for the next 5 years.
- Extend the civil statutes of limitation for sexual abuse or human trafficking of a minor to 5 years after the victim has reached 18 years.
- Require the DHHS to develop a plan to increase the availability of restoration facilities and protective services to juvenile victims of human trafficking.
- Create a joint unit between the Attorney General’s Office and the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking to investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases.
Looking to the future
Under current Iowa law, it is not necessary to show force, fraud or coercion for a minor to be considered a victim of sex trafficking. The legislature should extend this logic to arrest and prosecution so that trafficking victims under 18 are not criminalized but instead are directed to appropriate support and services. NAHT requests the Iowa Legislature work to develop Safe Harbor laws to accomplish these goals.
For more information, contact:
John Chesser, NAHT Chair: jtchesser@gmail.com 515-314-8516
Maggie Tinsman, NAHT Legislative Chair: Maggie.tinsman@mchsi.com 563-320-3395
Threase Harms, NAHT Liaison: Threase@advocacyiowa.com 515-975-5299
Chelsea Hoye, NAHT Liaison: Chelsea@advocacyiowa.com 515-246-7620
Website: lindam87.sg-host.com
Residential Programs for Survivors of Human Trafficking in Iowa
- Braking Traffik, located in Davenport, provides comprehensive services, including rapid housing to survivors of both labor and sex trafficking in Eastern Iowa.
- Dorothy’s House, located in Des Moines, provides immediate crisis services, long-term residential housing, and transitional housing for participants who have completed their residential program.
- Garden Gate Ranch, located near Des Moines, is a faith-based Christian organization that provides long-term and transitional housing for sexually exploited adult women with children under 5 years of age.
- Wings of Refuge, located in Ames, is a Christ-centered 501(c)(3) that provides long-term and transitional housing programs for sexually exploited adult women.
- Freedom House Ministries, located near Pella, is a long-term restoration home for minors affected by sex and/or labor trafficking.
- YSS, headquartered in Ames with locations across the state, provides crisis services and transitional living for youth. YSS had a federal grant for 8 apartments to specifically serve survivors of human trafficking, but the grant expired. They received state funding for the Ember Center which will be opening this fall.
- Lila Mae’s House, located in Sioux City, provides restoration housing for adult female survivors of sex trafficking. Lila Mae’s house had to close for a while last year due to funding but has reopened due to the extreme sacrifices of its founder.
- Friends of the Family, headquartered in Waverly, provided comprehensive case management and housing to survivors of human trafficking until a grant expired. They now provide emergency shelter and rapid rehousing for survivors of human trafficking, among other crimes, and refer out for case management.
- Chains Interrupted, located in the Cedar Rapids area, sadly closed its housing program for adult women in May of 2024 due to funding and staffing issues, as well as a change in focus to serving youth.