Over 20 direct service providers attended the recent meeting of the Iowa Survivor Services Collaboration. If you would like to join these agencies, contact Joy Fopma, Director, Wings of Refuge and Iowa NAHT Board member.

Here are the major wins and updates to report to NAHT:

  1. Over 26 individuals were present and represented 21 agencies throughout the state that offer some type of support in referral and aftercare to survivors.
  2. The state hotline presented on the operations and data collected for the state hotline. THEY ARE CREATING AN INTERACTIVE MAP of resources of all types for survivors of crime and specifically to survivors of human trafficking. They are also beginning to partner with the Iowa DOT who has received a grant to have a website. This collaboration will be for survivors themselves as wells as organizations, and individuals to have access to needed information to assist in recovery and referral to survivors in need in our state.
  3. The collaborative network had a great discussion on the discrepancy between survivors served or reported in our state and actual cases and prosecutions. More training is planned to better inform agencies to take a proactive approach in allowing survivors the opportunity to have positive interactions with law enforcement and better understand the justice system through education and information.
  4. Our state hotline is doing amazing work and we as abolitionists can utilize the hotline for efficiency of referral and care, promoting the number can lead to more identification of survivors and connection to support needed- (It may be helpful to have the hotline speak to NAHT board at some point). I would encourage agencies and professionals to schedule a tour and visit of the hotline to better understand how to utilize it.