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How You Can Help Fight Trafficking in 2026

Did you know January is Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month? It’s an opportunity to deepen your understanding of this heinous crime, learn how it’s evolving, and take action against it here in Iowa.

Every day, traffickers withhold the freedom of innocent people – stealing their rights, dignity, dreams, health, irreplaceable time, and ability to provide financially.

What we don’t understand, we can’t change. But the more you know about human trafficking, the greater the impact you will have. Awareness is the starting place for prevention, victim identification, and stopping the crisis of human trafficking. Without awareness, innocent Iowans will continue to be deceived by traffickers and exploited for their bodies and labor. Victims currently caught in trafficking may go unidentified because of the lack of individual or cultural awareness.

Together, we can change that. This January 2026, let’s amplify awareness to ignite advocacy.

So how can you, as an individual, help in 2026 to fight against human trafficking and modern slavery?

  • As a first step, you can attend the Thursday, January 22, Governor’s proclamation signing on the Rotunda of the State Capitol Building at 11:30 a.m. This will be a good opportunity to educate yourself about modern slavery and help others to become aware of this growing crime.
  • You can insist that businesses check their supply chains for slavery-produced goods. You can also ask local businesses to become an Iowa Business Against Trafficking (IBAT) member by going to https://ibat.iowa.gov. Since our Iowa Secretary of State launched this unique anti-trafficking program in January 2022, nearly 1,000 businesses have joined IBAT.
  • You can donate funds in 2026 to anti-trafficking organizations such as the Iowa NAHT. If you go to https://iowanaht.org/donate-now, your gift to the Network can be completed quickly using your credit card or PayPal.
  • You can urge your state representatives to propose and/or strengthen anti-trafficking laws. For the NAHT anti-trafficking legislative priorities for 2026, tap here. Speaking to your local legislators allows you to join forces with the NAHT board and other allies from across Iowa to improve public policy. A good day to visit with your Iowa representative and senator would be Thursday, January 22, NAHT Day on the Hill. You can also write your representative or senator. For an example letter, tap here.
  • January 2026 is an especially good time to learn the facts about trafficking. In recognition of Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, there are numerous Iowa events and training opportunities. These statewide events are free and can be found in this NAHT blog post/newsletter or posted on our Facebook Page.
  • For 11 more ideas on how you can volunteer in 2026 to fight human trafficking, tap here.

Trafficking Awareness Day on the Hill

On Thursday, January 22, the NAHT will host a public singing of the proclamation by Governor Kim Reynolds designating January 2026 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Month. The proclamation will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the State Capitol Building in Des Moines. All anti-trafficking advocates are invited to attend to share support for human trafficking awareness. The Network encourages you to take time either before or after the event to visit with your representative and senator. Here is a link to the Save the Date Flyer for you to distribute to encourage others to attend the Trafficking Awareness Day on the Hill.

Following the proclamation signing, five Outstanding Anti-Trafficking Service Awards will also be presented. These exceptional anti-trafficking unsung heroes and organizations will be introduced and honored on January 22.

National Awareness
January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. This year’s theme: Stronger Connections. Stronger Futures. Download this year’s took kit here.

Report to the Iowa Legislature from the Office to Combat Human Trafficking

Tap here to see the annual report to the Iowa Legislature from the Office to Combat Human Trafficking within the Department of Public Safety.

All-In-One Guide to Human Trafficking Safety for Women, Children, and Teens

Here is a link to an all-in-one guide to lifelong common, yet powerful escapes from bullying, rapists, kidnappers, and human traffickers. You’ll also see how to help the police rescue children, teens, and adults who have fallen into human trafficking.

January 29 Iowa Human Trafficking Prevention Webinar

Here is a link to register for a one-hour webinar being presented by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office and the non-profit survivor service organization Chain’s Interrupted. This webinar is in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Child Trafficking Prevention Conference

The 2026 NYC Child Trafficking Prevention Conference will provide 22 FREE virtual workshops between January 7 and January 30, 2026, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Month.

  • The workshops will be provided by national and regional experts, all of whom currently work directly in trafficking awareness and prevention.
  • All workshops are FREE, open to everyone and will be provided virtually through Microsoft Teams.
  • After you register, you will receive a Teams email with the workshop entry link. Save the email with the workshop entry link to enter the workshop on its scheduled day.
  • If you register for a workshop and find out subsequently that you cannot attend, please cancel your registration so someone else can have the seat.
  • All workshops are scheduled for Eastern Standard Time (EST), so if you are in another time zone, please adjust.
  • Please note that there are no CEUs or CLEs or CMEs available for any of the workshops.
  • Please share this information widely to help increase safety or even save a life.

How to Register:

For a list of the daily workshop topics, tap here.

To see the conference program and the 22 workshops, tap here. Registration instructions are located on page 1 of the program, and the workshop registration links directly follow each workshop description, starting on page 2.

Please send any event-related questions to TraffickingTraining@acs.nyc.gov.

Congress passes HR4323 – Criminal Record Relief for Survivors

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4323, the bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Act. The legislation was sponsored by Congressman Russell Fry (R-SC), co-led by Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Hank Johnson (D-GA), and co-sponsored by Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA). This bill provides federal criminal record relief to survivors of human trafficking who committed non-violent offenses as a direct result of their exploitation.

The Alliance to End Human Trafficking advocacy has criminal record relief for human trafficking survivors as one of our top priorities this year. Now that the House has taken action, please take time to contact your Iowa Senators and ask Grassley and Earnst to pass this bill.

With your voice, we can accomplish something that is critical for survivors to recover from their trafficking experiences and thrive in their recovery.

Gridshock Film to be Shown January 27

In recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the North Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the North Iowa Area Community College are jointly sponsoring the showing of the Gridshock film documentary about human trafficking in Iowa. The film will be shown at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 27. The public is invited, along with NIACC students. This film is not appropriate for viewing by children.

Arrest Made in Human Sex Child Trafficking Investigation

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Perry Police Department have charged Amanda Jean Goff, 41, with one count of Human Trafficking in the First Degree. Goff was taken into custody without incident at the Sac County Jail, where she had been held on related offenses. Human Trafficking in the First Degree is a class A felony.

As detailed in the criminal complaint, it is alleged that in January 2025, Goff took a 14-year-old female to a Perry hotel for the express purpose of having the victim engage in commercial sexual activity with another person.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between city, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Technical support was provided by the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking (OTCHT). Since 2023, the OTCHT has provided training and resources to educate our communities and businesses on the signs of human trafficking and to law enforcement and prosecutors on the effective investigation and prosecution of human trafficking offenses.

This is an ongoing investigation. There is a new article about the Goff trafficking arrest in the TV news and articles section below.

Des Moines Man Indicted on Federal Child Exploitation Charges

A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a 13-count indictment Wednesday, December 10, 2025, charging a Des Moines man with offenses related to sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of children.

As alleged in the Indictment, Tyler Boyd Pavlick, 32, produced and attempted to produce sexually explicit visual depictions of minor victims at two cross-country meets for middle school and high school athletes in September 2025, held in Marshall and Clarke counties and one arts and crafts festival in October 2025, held in Polk County. The Indictment also alleges that Pavlick possessed a computer containing child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Pavlick could face up to 30 years in prison on each of the charges involving the production or attempted production of the visual depictions.

Pavlick made his initial court appearance on December 11, 2025, before a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Trial is set for February 2, 2026.  Pavlick remains in custody pending trial.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.  Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Kerndt is prosecuting the case. The FBI Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, Des Moines Police Department, and Iowa DCI Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are investigating this case.

Ask Your City Council/County Board of Supervisors to Adopt a Local Proclamation for January 2026

It is not too late to approach your local city council or county board of supervisors about declaring January 2026 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. An example fill-in-the-blank proclamation that you can propose can be found here. Below is a photo from the Story County Board of Supervisors Proclamation Signing that took place on December 16. George Belitsos represented the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking (NAHT), and is shown holding the proclamation, along with the chair of the board of supervisors. Story County agencies working to prevent trafficking or serve survivors are also shown and include: YSS, Wings of Refuge, Center for Community Justice, ACCESS, and the Story County Sheriff’s Office.

Once your city and/or county local government votes to adopt a local proclamation, they will publicly present it to you at a meeting. You can attend the meeting and interact with your council/county board of supervisors. What a great way to create awareness and recognition of this growing problem across Iowa and within your own home community.

Iowa Webinar on Cyber Scamming on January 8

The Franciscan Peace Center, located in Clinton, Iowa, is doing a great job with human trafficking awareness and prevention. The January 8 webinar sheds light on the hidden realities behind cyber scamming networks. Their excellent panelists are also going to be speaking about the impact on the victims of this growing crime.

To access the flyer and registration, tap here.

Four Iowa Men Arrested in Undercover Grooming Investigation

Manchester police said they arrested four men on charges related to initiating sexual conversation with an undercover officer posing online as a 15-year-old.

Each man was arrested at Schram City Park in Manchester, where police say they agreed to meet the undercover officer, and face charges in the Iowa District Court for Delaware County.

Those arrested were:

  • William Bockenstedt, 56, of New Vienna, was arrested Oct. 16 and charged with grooming, enticing a minor under 16. He pleaded not guilty this month.
  • Seth Chambers, 41, of Dubuque, was arrested Oct. 22 and charged with grooming.
  • Craig Conrad, 38, of Epworth, Iowa: was arrested Nov. 2 and charged with grooming, enticing a minor under 16.
  • Alex LaFrenz, 32, of New Hampton, was arrested Nov. 20 and charged with grooming, enticing a minor under 16, exhibition of obscene material to a minor.

Omaha/Council Bluffs Commercial Child Sex Trafficking Ring

Five people allegedly involved in a sex trafficking conspiracy appeared in court in December. The group was hit with seven-figure bonds, and all will most likely remain locked up through their trials. Omaha city employee Amy Hicks was the first to stand before the judge. The charges against the 39-year-old Omaha finance department employee are shocking. Just three of the six felony charges she faces: Possession of child sexual abuse material, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and keeping a place of prostitution. “These are victim crimes. They’re trafficking and sex related crimes; several of them involve children or very young adults right on the line of being children,” the prosecutor said.

In court, prosecutors say Hicks was the linchpin of the operation. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine says everything in this operation centered around Hicks. “If you look at the kind of center of the chart, everything comes from that middle of the chart, and that’s her, and the tentacles spread out to these other people and their involvement,” said Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine. Prosecutors say Hicks is a flight risk.

According to the criminal complaint, Hicks was charged with six felony counts, including possession of child porn, pandering, conspiracy to commit felony sex trafficking, visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct, keeping a place of prostitution, and evading income tax. “In messages that law enforcement has reviewed on her phone over the course of years, she had admitted making thousands of thousands of dollars from commercial sex; however, since she has not claimed that money on her taxes, we don’t really know how much money she has access to,” the prosecutor said.

Four other suspects have been listed via court documents as co-conspirators:

  • Douglas Johnson, 54, was charged with criminal conspiracy, pandering, and possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $10 million.
  • Thomas Falcon, 62, was charged with conspiracy, keeping a place of prostitution, pandering, sex trafficking, sex trafficking of a minor, and child pornography. Prosecutors said they believe he was directly involved with the trafficking operation. His bond was set at $20 million.
  • Steven Harper, 56, was charged with keeping a place of prostitution and aiding and abetting pandering. He is a registered sex offender in Nebraska for a previous conviction of possession of child pornography in 2018. Prosecutors say Falcon used Harper’s house for illegal activity. Harper’s bond was set at $5 million. His house also caught fire recently, which prosecutors said was the site used for engaging in commercial sex.
  • Scott Nelson, 52, is accused of possession of child sexual abuse material, pandering, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, and manufacturing child sexual abuse material. Nelson is scheduled to appear in federal court Friday morning. Last week, he was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sex trafficking of a minor after entering a guilty plea.

“These people are looking at, most of them are looking at 220 years, 174 years, 120 years and 170 years,” Kleine said. Kleine said right now there are two victims but there could be more victims out there. And more suspects could be involved in this very disturbing case. “It should tell the public that we hear the term sex trafficking or human trafficking a lot of times, people think, well not in Omaha. That stuff doesn’t happen here. But it does,” Kleine said. Omaha police have been investigating these alleged incidents for a long time. The four defendants in this case will be back in court in December.

Pieper Lewis in Polk County Jail 18 Months After Disappearance

Courtesy of the Des Moines Register

Pieper LewisPieper Lewis, a sexual trafficking Iowa victim who drew national attention after she was charged with murdering one of her alleged abusers, has turned herself in more than 18 months after disappearing while in Atlanta, where she had been sent for treatment, authorities say.

Pieper voluntarily surrendered herself to the Polk County Jail on Friday, December 19. She is being held in the Polk County Jail on a charge of violating her probation. No bond has been set.

Lewis, now 21, was 15 and homeless when, in June 2020, she stabbed to death Zachary Brooks, who she said had raped her five times in the weeks before she killed him. Her attorneys contended that Lewis also was a victim, and had been sent to Brooks by a 28-year-old man she was living with at the time who trafficked and manipulated her. To this date, he has not been charged. To learn more about Pieper Lewis, tap here.

TV News Clips & Articles

By on January 2, 2026   /   News