Worldwide there are 50 million people trafficked and enslaved. That is a 10 million increase from the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Globally, one in four of these exploited and abused souls is under the age of 18.

So how can you as an individual help to fight against human trafficking and slavery in Iowa? As a first step, you can educate yourself about modern slavery and help others to become aware of this growing crime. You can insist that businesses check their supply chains for slavery-produced goods.

You can also ask local businesses to become an Iowa Business Against Trafficking (IBAT) member by going to https://ibat.iowa.gov. Since our Iowa Secretary of State launched this unique anti-trafficking program in January 2022, nearly 1,000 businesses have already joined IBAT.

You can also donate funds to anti-trafficking organizations such as the Iowa NAHT. If you go to https://iowanaht.org/donate-now/ your gift to the Network can be completed quickly using your credit card or PayPal.

Get training on H.T. There are several videos on the NAHT website lindam87.sg-host.com. Also, free training is often listed in the monthly NAHT Blog/Newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, tap on the link.

You can urge your state representatives to propose and/or strengthen anti-trafficking laws. Speaking to your local legislators allows you to join forces with the NAHT board and other allies from across Iowa to improve public policy. A good day to visit with your Iowa Representative and Senator would be Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. at the NAHT Day at the Legislature. Also, if you would like to join the NAHT Legislative Advocacy Committee, contact Maggie at maggie.tinsman@mchsi.com.

12 more ideas on how you can volunteer in 2024 to fight human trafficking:

 

English Language Version

  1. A volunteer project that you can immediately help us with is to distribute and post Hotline Stickers in your community. Tap here for a guideline for posting stickers. The guideline also has instructions for how to get stickers. The NAHT has both Spanish and English language stickers.
  2. Set up a resource table at a community event, county fair, library, church or other location and have someone knowledgeable to answer questions about human trafficking in Iowa.
  3. Schedule or host a showing of the human trafficking in Iowa documentary, Gridshock at a church, school, library or community center. To secure this one-hour documentary about sex trafficking in Iowa, contact Melody at prairiemelody@gmail.com.
  4. Do a “Pop-Up” sign and post at a public location. In some places, you may need permission for this. Or organize a sign-carrying march on Saturday, October 19, for A21’s annual Walk for Freedom event. Last year, 4 Iowa cities held marches. Youth and others can make signs from poster boards saying things like, “BE A MAN, STOP DEMAND!” “STORY COUNTY STANDS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING!” “ATTENTION HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, IOWA IS NOW YOUR FLY OVER ZONE!” “HUMAN TRAFFICKERS BEWARE: THERE IS A HIGH COST FOR SELLING SEX IN IOWA.” “HUMAN TRAFFICKERS; HOW DOES 25 YEARS TO LIFE SOUND??” “IOWA’S CHILDREN ARE NOT FOR SALE! End Trafficking NOW!”
  1. Host a Town Hall meeting to discuss ways that human trafficking is occurring here and how we can create stronger, safer communities. Invite your sheriff, mayor, police, and other community leaders. Be sure that your local law enforcement has already been trained on human trafficking.
  2. Get copies of posters from the Blue Campaign, Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking (NAHT), or IBAT anti-trafficking signs, stickers, and posters at various public locations. You can access NAHT posters and hotline stickers at https://iowanaht.org/iowa-brochures-and-posters/.
  3. Hold a fundraiser for a local survivor service or nonprofit. Eight of Iowa’s survivor service programs that support HT survivors have closed down due to a lack of funds and other resources.
  4. Volunteer at a local agency or program that serves survivors. For a list of these 8 Non-Profit survivor service agencies, go to the NAHT website at lindam87.sg-host.com and look under resources. There are usually many ways to get involved including mentoring, tutoring, and teaching life skills or hobbies.
  5. Offer to donate a vehicle or a big-ticket household item for a survivor who is making their transition into a life freed from traffickers’ control.
  6. Become educated! Start a discussion and/or prayer group on the topic of human trafficking. Your group could meet on a monthly basis maybe over lunch, coffee or dinner.
  7. Form a local Anti-Trafficking Coalition. There are 14 coalitions in Iowa and you can see a map, list, and description of the 14 groups by tapping here. If there is no local or regional coalition in your area, form your own coalition and go to admin for help and resources.
  8. Help us make connections by contacting people or groups you know who need HT training, or prevention education or would like the NAHT to do a presentation about this heinous crime. Think businesses, educators, youth groups, churches, summer camps, schools, colleges, health care providers, EMTs, law enforcement, social service agencies, service organizations or community clubs, daycare providers, foster kids and parents, etc.