Disturbingly, child sex trafficking incidents more than doubled in Iowa from 2020 to 2021, with the state now at the center stage of this deplorable crime. Iowa is not going to be able to stop these heinous acts if we don’t make a significant investment in the programs serving victims of these criminals as 30 other states are doing,
To address this urgent issue, the Iowa Network against Human Trafficking and Slavery is calling on the Iowa Legislature to allocate $5 million in state funds for Human Trafficking Victim Services in the 2025 Justice System’s budget. Without state support, organizations like Braking Traffik face limitations and cannot provide rehabilitative essential services to victims.
The public (You and I) are urged to take immediate action:
- Call or write your Iowa State Senator and State Representative, urging them to allocate $5 million for Human Trafficking Victim (Survivor) Services in the 2025 budget. This is the top NAHT priority for the 2024 Iowa legislature.
- Recognize that this funding could assist 26 different social service networks across the state in supporting survivors once rescued from human trafficking.
In the face of the sinister underworld of human trafficking, a collective effort is needed to curb this epidemic. State funding is crucial for the operational support of Iowa’s human trafficking victim service providers, ensuring consistent and effective assistance to survivors.
The urgency of this call to action is underscored by the abominable nature of human trafficking – a dark stain on the fabric of humanity. Every effort must be marshaled to thwart this crime, and the community’s involvement is paramount.
Thank you for joining the fight against human trafficking. Your participation is immensely appreciated in the pursuit of justice and protection for the vulnerable. Together we can make this happen.