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Tuesday, July 30 World Day Against Trafficking

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, and this year’s theme is Trapped behind the scam.

United Nations theme 2026Across the world, transnational organized crime groups are trafficking and exploiting thousands of people and forcing them to take part in industrial-scale financial fraud operations. This is a growing form of trafficking in persons for forced criminality, closely intertwined with cybercrime, financial fraud, money-laundering, and corruption.

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 U.N. 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 Iowans can become part of the solution and stand with the Network Against Human Trafficking in this fight. Please see the Chains Interrupted article to bring attention to so many victims falling through the cracks.

Mark World Day Against Human Trafficking by Donating to the NAHT

QR code for NAHT donation page

Donate to the NAHT here.

Please consider supporting the NAHT with a 2026 donation in recognition of World Day Against Trafficking. The NAHT has a $2,500 fundraising goal with this World Day Against Trafficking campaign. You can help us reach our $2,500 goal by tapping here or by using the QR code. If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to the NAHT and send it to our office at 5508 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014.

The NAHT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation will be tax-deductible. The Network was Iowa’s first and remains the only statewide all-volunteer organization devoted exclusively to ending human trafficking in all its forms.

Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Enticement of a Minor in Burlington

A man was sentenced on May 13 to 125 months in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Christopher L. Rutherford, 55, messaged with two undercover officers who posed as underage teenagers on Facebook and exchanged messages about meeting to engage in sex acts. Rutherford made plans to meet up with one of the undercover officers at Walmart in Burlington where he was arrested.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Rutherford will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Des Moines Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Child Exploitation and Child Pornography Charges

A Des Moines man pleaded guilty on May 1 to three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography.

According to public court documents, Tyler Boyd Pavlick, 33, placed a mini video camera in the tank of a porta-potty at three Central Iowa events: co-ed middle school and high school cross-county meets, one held in State Center on September 23, 2025, and another held in Osceola on September 30, 2025; and an arts, craft, and harvest event held in Des Moines on October 4, 2025.

Pavlick placed the cameras with the purpose of creating visual depictions of minors lasciviously exhibiting their anus, genitals, or pubic area. Law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of Pavlick’s Des Moines residence on October 15, 2025, including mini cameras that were the same model as those seized by police from the porta-potties in State Center and Des Moines. One of the electronic devices seized from Pavlick’s residence contained video footage of minors using the porta-potty at the Osceola event, including footage of a minor under the age of 12.

Pavlick is scheduled to be sentenced on July 31 at 9:15 a.m. Each of the three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child carry a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the United States sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Chains Interrupted Celebrates World Day July 30

Chains Interrupted eventChains Interrupted has big plans to celebrate World Day Against Trafficking in Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa. The organization has already held a family safety fair, bringing together more than 500 community members for an evening focused on safety, connection, awareness, and prevention.

The event featured community resource booths, food trucks, games, face-painting, a climbing wall, bouncy house, various vehicles, special characters (Elsa, Bluey, McDuff, and more), valuable presentations on topics such as internet safety and trafficking prevention, and much more. Chains Interrupted wishes to give a special shout out to Kayla, a courageous survivor who shared her message for the first time publicly!

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:

  • Contact Office@ChainsInterrupted.com to inform us of your interest and receive details (including the approved list of sidewalk chalk messages).
  • 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 www.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 Chains Interrupted. You will also need sidewalk chalk and the approved messages list. Having small cups for ease of pouring and hand wipes is highly recommended.
  • 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.
  • 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!

The Lighthouse Will Be Releasing 1,000 Balloons on July 30

The Lighthouse invites all anti-trafficking advocates to attend their second annual “Fight For Freedom 5K” run/walk event, held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, coinciding with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, PACE Alliance (Thursday Nights in Pella), and The Pella Farmers Market. This family-friendly event will bring together the Pella community to raise awareness and critical human trafficking funds, culminating with a special performance by the renowned Christian band, Remedy Drive.

The Lighthouse Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Pella, Iowa, launched in 2024, is dedicated to shining a light on the darkness of human trafficking. They empower and support survivors through comprehensive education, tireless advocacy, and vital resources.

Fight For Freedom Lighthouse Flyer

Shocking 2025 Data on Child Exploitation and Trafficking

At the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), data helps us understand not just how many children need help, but also the evolving threats they face and where action is needed most.

The NCMEC’s latest analysis looks at millions of reports from across their systems, giving us a clearer picture of the trends shaping child safety today. This information is shared with law enforcement, policymakers, and partners so they can respond more quickly, build stronger cases, and make more informed decisions. Below is their 2025 report.

NCMEC 2025 data chart

A Parent’s Checklist for Documenting Online Sextortion on Snapchat

Online sextortion is an increasingly common threat targeting children and teenagers on social media platforms such as Snapchat. Families and state government officials alike have argued in recent lawsuits against Snapchat that its design to create “disappearing” videos and messages has only enabled predators. Predators often use fake profiles, manipulation, and pressure to obtain explicit images and then threaten victims for more content, money, or silence. For parents, recognizing warning signs early and properly documenting evidence can help protect your child and support law enforcement investigations.

This checklist is designed to help parents identify potential predatory behavior and safely document interactions without escalating the situation.

Tap here to see a PDF of the full checklist.

Little Sioux Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison

A Little Sioux man was sentenced on April 21 to 50 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of the Harrison County residence of Trevor John Collison, 34. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Collison used the devices to produce numerous hidden camera images and videos containing child sexual abuse material of five minor victims.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Collison will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Collison was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.

United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Alaska State Patrol investigated the case.

TV News Clips and Articles

By on July 1, 2026   /   News