Grand Jury Indictment, Resources, Freedom Summit, and More

Grand Jury Indictment, Resources, Freedom Summit, and More

One of the NAHT strategic plan goals for 2020 was a major expansion of the Network’s resource directory. We have been working on this update for 9 months, and the expanded directory is now complete. A21, an international anti-trafficking non-profit organization of modern day abolitionists, will host a free Global Freedom Summit on October 21st. Although COVID has reduced in-person events, a peaceful assembly and walk to bring awareness to human trafficking and child exploitation brought together forty masked advocates in Coralville, Iowa late last month.

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Good and Bad News in Iowa’s Fight to End Trafficking

Good and Bad News in Iowa’s Fight to End Trafficking

The 20th anniversary Trafficking In Persons (TIP) report was released in June 2020. The report ranks over 100 countries and their progress in fighting modern day slavery. In celebration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons there were a dozen awareness events across Iowa. YSS, a statewide Iowa child welfare non-profit, was awarded a three year, $500,000 federal grant to provide safe housing assistance to human trafficking survivors. The Johnson County Human Trafficking Coalition designed an outstanding awareness display at the Coral Ridge Mall located in Coralville, Iowa.

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2020 Legislative Victories, July 30 World Day Against Trafficking & Anti-Trafficking News

2020 Legislative Victories, July 30 World Day Against Trafficking & Anti-Trafficking News

Governor Reynolds signed HF 2259 surrounded by our NAHT board members, allies, and legislators. Now the hard work begins to implement hotel/motel training across the state! The second human trafficking related bill signed by Governor Reynolds is HF 2554, which will result in increased time in prison for traffickers and other perpetrators who exploit children under age 14. July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The Iowa City Law Enforcement Task Force received a national anti-trafficking award for their very thorough investigation resulting in five defendants pleading guilty and a sixth being convicted by jury trial.

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June Anti-Trafficking Updates and Request to Contact Your Legislators

The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery marks its 15th anniversary since it was founded on June 23, 2005. We are asking for your help to pass the Iowa Hotel/Motel Anti-Trafficking Legislation that provides incentives for all Iowa hotels/motels to provide training on how to detect and report human trafficking to all of their employees. Read the report from Iowa DHS on Child Sex Trafficking statistics. Join the national Emancipation Nation Network for access to more resources. Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Services (TAPS) gives progress report.

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NAHT Calls for You to Help – COVID-19 Continues to Play Into Traffickers’ Hands

#GivingTuesdayNow fundraising campaign coming up May 5th! Iowa Law Enforcement Academy hires new full-time trafficking instructor. Teresa Davidson, who is a member of our Board of Directors and is the Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator at Mercy Medical Center and is the founder of Chains Interrupted, was appointed by the President to be a member of the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. She reports on her first trip to Washington D.C.

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Traffickers Taking Advantage of COVID-19 to Exploit

We are hearing reports that sex and labor traffickers are taking advantage of the pandemic to entrap even more vulnerable youth and young adults with false promises. A special online meeting has been called for all of Iowa’s providers who serve trafficking survivors. Upcoming webinar to discuss gangs and human trafficking.

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