Human Trafficking Statistics for 2022

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It’s unclear what the rate of human trafficking actually is in Iowa. State agencies each store their human trafficking data in separate silos. Each year, the NAHT tries to compile these separate reports into a statewide summary.

The chart shown here has all the info that state agencies have shared with us about 2022 (plus the prosecutions referenced in the DPS report). Here are links to the sources of information from DPS, DHHS, and AG:

https://hhs.iowa.gov/reports/child-abuse-statistics

https://dps.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/intelligence/Office%20To%20Combat%20Human%20Trafficking/2022%20OCHT%20Report-FINAL.pdf

https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/documents/1_B2C5C9AFDB750.pdf

Several other states have the same problem as Iowa in figuring out how prevalent human trafficking is across the state. Florida just solved the problem by legislatively requiring all state agencies and survivor service nonprofits to report data to a research lab at the University of Florida, which will collect the statewide data. Here is a link to an article about the legislation passed by the Florida Legislature: University of South Florida to Collect Human Trafficking Data.

“Take it Down” Removes a Teen’s Video & Photos

By: Bernadette Rixner, Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking Outreach Coordinator & NAHT board member

I have some information that I want to share about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). If you have never been to their website, you really should check it out (missingkids.org). In addition to working to find missing children, NCMEC operates the Cyber Tipline where people (and internet providers) can report possible child exploitation, Child Sexual Abuse Material (child pornography) etc.

They now have a program called Take It Down. (https://takeitdown.ncmec.org). Take It Down is for people who have images or videos of themselves nude, partially nude, or in sexually explicit situations taken when they were under the age of 18 that they believe have been or will be shared online. Take It Down works by assigning a unique digital fingerprint, called a hash value to these images or videos of people under the age of 18. Online platforms can use hash values to detect these images or videos on their services and remove this content. This all happens without the image or video ever leaving your device or anyone viewing it. Only the hash value will be provided to NCMEC. This is one of very few resources available to help young people and their parents get such pictures off the internet.

There is a similar program for people who have such pictures or videos taken after age 18 that are or may be online. StopNCII.org is a free tool designed to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image (NCII) abuse.

IBAT is a Finalist for National Award

Secretary of State Paul Pate recently attended the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Conference, where Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) was a top finalist for the IDEAS (Innovation, Dedication, Excellence, and Achievement in Service) Award. This award recognizes the significant contributions a state has made to the NASS mission, as well as honors the outstanding program and their achievements.

“It is an honor to be nationally recognized as a finalist for this award, but it is our real hope that more awareness helps eliminate this horrific crime. Collaboration is key in combatting trafficking, and Iowa is pleased that more than ten states have expressed an interest in replicating IBAT in their state. Together we have the ability to not only raise awareness about human trafficking but also to work to end it,” stated Iowa Secretary of State, Paul Pate.

The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and the Rotary District 6000 Iowa Prevention of Human Trafficking Action Team have both partnered with the Secretary of State to promote IBAT across the state. In addition to businesses, non-profits, faith communities, and service organizations (such as Rotary Clubs) are also encouraged to join IBAT. Just over 700 organizations have joined IBAT, employing over 300,000 Iowa employees.

Climate Disasters Become a Cause of Trafficking

A new UN report states that there is mounting evidence that human traffickers are taking advantage of an increasing number of displaced people as a result of climate-related disasters.

“Climate change is increasing vulnerability to trafficking. While a systematic global analysis of the impact of climate change in trafficking in persons is missing, community level studies in different parts of the world point at climate-induced disasters as root causes for trafficking in persons,” the UN report stated.

The analysis of 800 court cases and information gathered from 141 nations form the basis of the report. Based on the research, impoverished farming, fishing, and other groups that primarily depend on the extraction of natural resources for their livelihoods were “disproportionately” impacted by climate change.

People are turning into easy targets for traffickers after they were “deprived of their means of subsistence and forced to flee their community,” the report’s primary author Fabrizio Sarrica said at a recent press conference.

More Ideas About How You Can Volunteer to Fight Trafficking

By: Melody Stone, chair of the North & Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Please be thinking about even small ways you can impact human trafficking this fall. I’ve listed some ideas that might put some wind in your sails!

Set up a resource table at a community event, county fair, library, church or other location and have someone knowledgeable to answer questions about human trafficking in Iowa.
Schedule or host a showing of the human trafficking in Iowa documentary, Gridshock, at a church, school, library or community center. To secure this one hour documentary about sex trafficking in Iowa, contact Melody at prairiemelody@gmail.com.
Do a “Pop-Up” sign holding at a public location. In some places you may need permission for this. Youth and others can make signs from poster boards saying things like,
“BE A MAN, STOP DEMAND!”
“WORTH COUNTY STANDS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING!”
“ATTENTION HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, IOWA IS NOW YOUR FLY OVER ZONE!”
“HUMAN TRAFFICKERS BEWARE: THERE IS A HIGH COST FOR SELLING SEX IN IOWA.”
“HUMAN TRAFFICKERS; HOW DOES 25 YEARS TO LIFE SOUND??”
“IOWA’S CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SALE! End Trafficking NOW!”
Host a Town Hall meeting to discuss ways that human trafficking is occurring here and how we can create stronger, safer communities. Invite your sheriff, mayor, police, and other community leaders.
Visit businesses in your community and ask them if they are interested in no-cost human trafficking training for their employees offered through IBAT.
Get copies of posters to post Blue Campaign, Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking (NAHT), or IBAT anti-trafficking signs, stickers and posters at various public locations. You can access NAHT posters and hotline stickers here.
Hold a fundraiser for a local program or non-profit. Some of our programs who support HT survivors have closed down due to lack of funds and other resources.
Volunteer at a local agency or program that serves survivors. There are usually many ways to get involved including mentoring, tutoring, teaching life skills or hobbies. For a list and contact info for these services, visit our Resource Directory.
Offer to donate a vehicle or a big ticket item for a survivor who is making their transition into the “square life.”
Become educated! Start a discussion and/or prayer group on the topic of human trafficking. Your group could meet on a monthly basis maybe over lunch, coffee or dinner.
Help us make connections by contacting people or groups you know who need HT training, or prevention education or would like us to do a presentation about this issue. Think businesses, educators, youth groups, churches, summer camps, schools, colleges, health care providers, EMTs, law enforcement, social service agencies, service organizations or community clubs, daycare providers, foster kids and parents, etc.

Q & A Session on “Sound of Freedom” on September 6th

On September 6, 2023, join experts on Freedom Network USA’s Instagram account for a Q&A session on the movie “Sound of Freedom.” The Q & A session will explore the complexities of trafficking and how you can help make an impact for persons with lived experience of trafficking. Read more here: https://freedomnetworkusa.org/2023/07/30/soundoffreedom/

The Conditional Sound of Freedom

The following editorial was written by Marsha Thrall of Clinton Iowa.

Recently, I went to see the film “The Sound of Freedom.” The film highlights how Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent, quit his job to rescue one girl who had been abducted from her family and sold to a rebel commune in the jungles of Colombia.

In his search for this one girl, Ballard organized a sting that ultimately rescued 54 children from a sex trafficking cartel operating in Central America. During the entirety of the film, the victims of this sex trafficking/pedophile ring are consistently referred to as victims of “human trafficking.” While it is true that sex trafficking is a component of human trafficking of children, it is not the only form of human trafficking nor is it the most prevalent form of trafficking that targets foreign national children.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s “2022 Trafficking in Persons Report: United States” of the 1,143 foreign national children who were certified as victims of human trafficking in the United States, 25% of these children were sex trafficking victims while 68% of these underage victims were sold into labor trafficking within the United States.

Iowa is not immune to the problem of forced child labor, including the exploitation of foreign national children sold into human trafficking. A 2018 PBS Frontline episode titled “Trafficked in America” focuses on the problem of child labor trafficking, particularly the trafficking of foreign national children within the egg and food processing industries of the Midwest.

One community highlighted within this exposé is the community of Clarion, IA home to several egg and food processing plants. At the time of the Frontline airing, it was estimated by public school officials in Clarion that at least 30 foreign national children were being trafficked within the small community for their labor. The population of Clarion is just over 2,700 people.

It is important to acknowledge that children, specifically foreign national children, are the most vulnerable victims of human trafficking, but it’s equally important to recognize that human trafficking isn’t all inclusive of sex trafficking. It is entirely possible that mass-produced food that we all consume has been made accessible to us through the bodily exploitation and bondage of children as young as 10 years old. And every exploited child is worthy of our rescue efforts.

The Franciscan Peace Center was established by the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, as a means of integrating Franciscan spirituality with the mission of promoting active nonviolence and peacemaking, including advocating for an end to systemic issues that contribute to human trafficking. If you are passionate about working towards an end to all forms of human trafficking, please consider joining the Clinton Area Anti-Trafficking Committee. Beginning in September 2023, we will meet each month, on the first Tuesday, at 10 a.m., at The Canticle, 841 13th Ave. North, Clinton.

If you have any questions about our anti-trafficking work, please contact Marsha Thrall, Clinton area Anti-Trafficking committee at mthrall@clintonfranciscans.com.

Greek Boat Tragedy Places Spotlight on Human Trafficking

Late last month, several hundred lost their lives in a boat tragedy near Greece which has been described as one of Europe’s deadliest shipping disasters.

The tragedy has once again brought media spotlight on the matter of human trafficking. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who fall prey to the menace of human trafficking. The victims, often lured by false promises of better lives and opportunities, find themselves trapped in a nightmarish cycle of exploitation and abuse. Desperate for a chance to enjoy a brighter future, they risk everything, including their lives, to escape dire circumstances at home. Reports indicate that the ill-fated vessel was overcrowded and not seaworthy. This tragic event not only highlights the ruthlessness of human traffickers, but also sheds light on the dangerous conditions to which vulnerable individuals are subjected during their treacherous journey. To read more about Greece as a hotspot for human trafficking smuggling, tap here.

Challenging the Narrative. A Deep Dive into the Misrepresentations of “Sound of Freedom” and the Realities of Human Trafficking

By Dr. Celia Williamson

The recently released movie that’s taken the world by storm, the “Sound of Freedom,” raked in an astounding $174 million in the U.S. to date. It has also earned approximately that same amount outside the U.S. This film, with its American hero rescuing innocent children from far-off lands, isn’t painting the full picture of human trafficking. Join Dr. Cecilia Williamson as she navigates the complex narrative of this movie, challenging the distorted image it portrays of human trafficking.

While the film is certainly compelling, there are misrepresentations to dissect. Not all customers who buy victims are dirty and sweaty or wealthy beyond measure. Some hide in plain sight, in legitimate jobs, and occupy everyday positions of trust. And while the protagonist’s heroics are commendable, the reality of human trafficking is, unfortunately, more complex and requires more complex solutions. Get the podcast here.

Information, Articles, and Resources

By Dr. George Belitsos on September 5, 2023 / News