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TAKE IT DOWN Act Signed Into Law, and Teresa Davidson was a Witness at the White House Signing

On May 19, President Trump signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146) into law. Many Iowans advocated for this federal legislation and the NAHT thanks each of you for your efforts. Teresa Davidson, NAHT board member, was a lead advocate for the passage of the act and consequently was invited to the White House to witness President Trump’s signature.

As background, S. 146 was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and generally prohibits the nonconsensual online publication of intimate visual depictions of individuals, both authentic and computer-generated.

The bill requires certain online platforms to promptly remove such depictions upon receiving notice of their existence. Covered platforms (e.g. public websites, online services, or applications that primarily provide a forum for user-generated content) must establish a process through which subjects of intimate visual depictions may notify the platform of the existence of, and request removal of, an intimate visual depiction including the subject that was published without the subject’s consent. Covered platforms must remove such depictions within 48 hours of notification. Violators are subject to mandatory restitution and criminal penalties, including prison, a fine, or both. Threats to publish intimate visual depictions of a subject are similarly prohibited under the bill and subject to criminal penalties.

Wednesday, July 30, World Day Against Trafficking Theme

Annually, the United Nations designates July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of this devastating global problem and to promote the protection of basic human rights. Trafficking is modern-day slavery, and this heinous crime is growing globally.

Each year, the UN selects a different theme. Since human trafficking continues to be a worldwide threat driven by organized crime, this year’s theme is “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation.”

More and more, victims are being trafficked every year with greater violence, for longer periods of time, and for greater profit. In the last few years, there were only 200,000 documented victims who received help. This is just the tip of the iceberg; the actual number of unreported cases of human trafficking is 50 million. Organized crime networks are driving this victimization and exploitation. Traffickers profit from forced labor, sexual exploitation, and coercion into criminal activities such as online scams.

This year’s campaign highlights the vital role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in dismantling organized trafficking networks. Despite some progress, criminal justice responses remain grossly inadequate in tackling this rapidly growing crime.

Please make the global day against trafficking a day that you become part of the solution and stand with us in this fight. Please see the article below about the Red Sand project that you can conduct between now and July 30 to bring attention to so many victims falling through the cracks.

Red Sand Project Goes Statewide on July 30

Article and invitation submitted by Teresa Davidson, Chains Interrupted

In honor of World Day Against Human Trafficking, Chains Interrupted (CI) partners annually with The Red Sand Project. We invite you to conduct your own Red Sand Project in your own community. This Project involves pouring environmentally friendly red sand into the cracks of sidewalks, parking lots, etc. to raise awareness about human trafficking and those who “fall through the cracks” in this heinous crime. Created by artist Molly Gochman, this is an easy way to create opportunities for people to question, connect with an organization, and inspire action against Human Trafficking and exploitation. Chains Interrupted enhances this awareness effort with sidewalk chalk messages and invites you to partner with us now through July 30. Here’s how:

  1. Contact Office@ChainsInterrupted.com to inform us of your interest and receive details (including the approved list of sidewalk chalk messages)
  2. Gather people, location/necessary permissions, and supplies
    • People: Friends, family, team, organization, youth group, church, business, community group, etc.
    • Location/Permissions: Think about anywhere there is a crack in a sidewalk, parking lot, etc. People and businesses can pour sand on their own private property, but please make sure you have approval from the city to pour sand on city owned sidewalks or parking lots prior to pouring. Be aware that municipalities sometimes require cleanup.
    • Supplies: Once you know how many people will be in your group, and location of your event, go to RedSandProject.org to order environmentally friendly red sand. It’s free! They just ask you to pay for shipping. Please allow up to 14 business days to receive the sand. If you are located near Cedar Rapids, you can arrange to obtain sand (and other materials including yard signs) from CI. You will also need sidewalk chalk and the approved messages list. Having small cups for ease of pouring and hand wipes is highly recommended.
  3. Host your event between now and July 30
    • Pour sand and write approved messages in sidewalk chalk. We recommend offering education on human trafficking with your event. Printed materials, such as posters, brochures, and handouts can be used. You could also arrange a speaker before the event.
  4. Share your experience
    • Make sure to take photos and videos of your sidewalk transformation (no photos of faces of minors please, unless you have permission) and share them on your social media sites with hashtags #CIRedSandProject and #ChainsInterrupted. Please email those you would like to be included in our cumulative video (released on July 30, World Day Against Trafficking) to Chains Interrupted at Info@ChainsInterrupted.com by July 25.

This is a powerful opportunity to spark important conversations about human trafficking—and just how close to home it truly is. Last year, individuals from across Iowa, throughout the U.S. (including California, Florida, and Nebraska), and even internationally (like Kosovo) joined our initiative. Let’s see how far we can expand it together this year!

Pornography Websites Sued for Violating Age Verification Laws

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center has filed the first U.S. lawsuit suing pornography websites for allowing children to access their sites. This is in violation of state age verification laws. The lawsuits are filed on behalf of Q. R., a Kansas boy who was exposed to several hardcore sites at the age of 14. Despite the state’s law requiring pornography websites to verify the age of users, this 14-year-old had easy access.

Q. R.’s mother had done everything right. She took great care to lock down and monitor all of her son’s devices, yet he found an old laptop in the closet and spiraled into compulsive pornography use. To read more about how the NCOSE is fighting to hold these porn companies accountable, please tap here.

National Human Trafficking Hotline Responds to Criticism

We’re the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through our Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), we fund and oversee the Hotline grant program. And we want the public to know: The Hotline is fully operational, and it continues to regularly report to and coordinate with survivors, service providers, and law enforcement. These reports are made when permitted or required by law, and we remain deeply committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of those who contact the Hotline for help. Protecting the privacy and safety of individuals is central to the Hotline’s mission, even as it works closely with authorities to ensure safety, accountability, and justice.

In April 2025, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) sent a letter to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging HHS to ensure that the grant-funded operators of the Hotline strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement. This request echoed concerns previously raised by NAAG in 2023. As the federal funder, ACF took these concerns seriously and has conducted a full review of the Hotline’s protocols.

What we found—and what our ongoing monitoring has consistently shown—is this: There has been no systematic lapse in reporting tips to law enforcement. While the Hotline refers thousands of cases each year, the volume of calls, gaps in information provided to the Hotline, and complexity of multiple systems involved may mean that not every report has reached the right enforcement agencies or been acted on in the way callers may have hoped. Strengthening this system—expanding coordination, refining processes, and ensuring information moves quickly and accurately to the right people—remains one of our top priorities.

The role of OTIP is not to answer calls, but to make sure the system is functioning the way it should—efficiently, legally, and with the survivor’s needs, safety, and privacy at the center.

The Hotline operates 24/7 with the ability to provide support in over 200 languages. It receives calls, texts, chats, and emails from survivors, concerned loved ones, community members, and frontline professionals. It’s a lifeline for survivors—offering support, safety planning, and connections to local services and law enforcement.

Each year, the Hotline refers thousands of tips to law enforcement. Some become long-term investigations initiated by a single conversation. Here are just a few recent examples:

  • A trafficking survivor called to request help escaping her situation. One specialist stayed with her on the line while another coordinated with law enforcement. The survivor was safely removed and connected to shelter and services.
  • A school counselor called about a student showing signs of being trafficked. The Hotline provided resources and reported the situation to both law enforcement and child protective services.
  • A mother called to report her adult daughter missing and potentially being trafficked. She had previously contacted law enforcement but was unaware of any action. The Hotline referred the case, and law enforcement confirmed an active investigation was underway.

Over the past decade, the Hotline has referred more than 27,000 potential human trafficking situations to law enforcement.

Here’s what that looks like since 2015:

Fiscal YearHuman Trafficking Situations Reported to Law EnforcementFiscal YearHuman Trafficking Situations Reported to Law Enforcement
FY 20151,434FY 20203,353
FY 20162,120FY 20212,889
FY 20172,794FY 20222,531
FY 20183,434FY 20232,381
FY 20193,599FY 20242,642

These numbers show consistent reporting and collaboration year after year. Each number reflects the coordination between a survivor or signaler, a trained specialist, and the public safety professionals who respond.

To read more about recent hotline improvements, tap here.

June 23 Marked NAHT’s 20th Anniversary

On June 23, the NAHT celebrated its 20th anniversary. Please consider honoring this milestone by supporting Iowa’s only statewide non-profit, all-volunteer organization fighting human trafficking. You can help us reach our $20,000 goal by tapping here to make a gift. Thus far, the NAHT supporters have donated $8,797 toward the $20,000 goal. Below are advocates and donors who have answered the question: “I support the NAHT because…”

Virtual Human Trafficking International Conference, Sept. 17-19

Iowa anti-trafficking advocates are invited to virtually connect with the growing community of global anti-trafficking advocates committed to social justice. This year’s conference will feature 110+ live and on-demand webinars to rewatch & access for up to three weeks after the conference!

The 22nd annual international HT and Social Justice conference is a virtual 3-day event. The conference will not only include the latest information from experts in the field of human trafficking and social justice, but will also feature virtual vendor booths, art exhibits, networking opportunities, and giveaways.

With our virtual conference, we are able to learn, connect, and collaborate with thousands more individuals from all over the world. Please help us spread the word about the conference by sharing our flyer with your friends, colleagues, and peers.

Click here to register!

 TV News Clips & Articles

By on June 30, 2025   /   News