The Iowa NAHT Board of Directors is urging local anti-trafficking coalitions and regional groups to encourage, and local cities to pass, ordinances to crack down on human trafficking and prostitution in some of Iowa’s massage parlors. This call to action is prompted by the May 10th signing of a legislative bill, SF445, which repeals Iowa Code Section 152 C.
This repeal now gives Iowa cities the authority to require licenses and enforce restrictions and/or requirements on massage businesses and therapists. For example, cities can now require criminal background checks on massage business employees including management and owners. Cities can ask to see credentials of massage therapists and review previous license suspensions or denials. Most advertise online.
This legislative action is the exact opposite of HF138 which was introduced earlier this year. The Iowa NAHT expressed its opposition to HF138 and specifically the deregulation of massage therapy and repeal of the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy. We have had an increasing concern that some spas and massage therapy parlors are being used as a front for prostitution and sex trafficking. These businesses are advertising online in hidden websites and this is how they attract their clients who become sexual abusers of victims. Licensing creates a clear separation between therapeutic massage and shady businesses that use massage as a ruse for prostitution and trafficking. Thankfully, HF138 was withdrawn.
Arrests for prostitution or for working without a massage license have been made the past few years in Ames, Johnston, Marion, Mason City, The Quad Cities, Sioux City, Urbandale, Dubuque, and West Des Moines. Two massage businesses in Ames were closed in May 2016 following three arrests. Genmu Chen was subsequently convicted this year of felony assault with intent to commit sex abuse and felony sex abuse after he inappropriately touched two clients. He did not have a massage license and his business, located in Ames’ North Grand Mall, was never inspected. He wasn’t subject to a criminal background check before being arrested. Two women were also arrested: one for prostitution, the other for practicing without a license. At the time of the arrest, police were quoted as expecting charges related to sex trafficking, but none was filed due to a lack of evidence.
A recent Des Moines Register Watchdog probe found more than two dozen businesses in the Des Moines area were trying to lure customers with suggestive photos and advertising on sites such as Backpage.com and Craigslist, which have been used for sex trafficking and prostitution. The listings say “new pretty girls coming soon”, “free table showers” “new girl, new feeling” and “She care for you right from stressed out start to smiling finish.” Photos show women dressed in high heels, lingerie, and thongs. The national human trafficking hotline program, Polaris, identified Des Moines as a top concern after monitoring sex solicitation on paid sites.
The Iowa NAHT wishes to commend and thank the Johnston City Council, Mayor Dierenfeld, Chief of Police, Dennis McDaniel, and Iowa State Representative Nunn, who took the concern about lack of local ability to prevent and enforce massage businesses to the Iowa legislature. In fact, Johnston is the first Iowa city to pass a local ordinance predating the legislative bill which now gives cities the right to monitor and inspect local massage businesses. While Johnston believed they could regulate these businesses, the language in the Code was gray enough that they sought the legislative change to make it clear that cities have this authority. Based on the legislative action, they are in the process of revising and updating their ordinance.
With the city’s permission, I’m linking the current ordinance and business application:
If you have questions about these two documents or local enforcement, you are invited to contact Chief Dennis McDaniel at dmcdaniel@cityofjohnston.com.