• About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Sunday, March 26, 2023
The Iowa Torch
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion
The Iowa Torch
The Iowa Torch
No Result
View All Result
Home State Government

Iowa to Launch New Human Trafficking Prevention Initiative in January

Hotel, motel and other lodging owners/operators will be required to have their employees undergo human trafficking prevention training to receive public funding.

Mary StrokabyMary Stroka
November 20, 2021
in State Government
Reading Time: 3 mins read
Iowa to Launch New Human Trafficking Prevention Initiative in January

Photo by Kat Smith from Pexels.

(The Center Square) – Beginning in January, hotel, motel and other lodging owners and operators will be required to have their employees undergo human trafficking prevention training if they want to receive state or local public funding.

RELATED POSTS

Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

Iowa House sends government reorganization bill to Reynolds’ desk

The Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Office to Combat Human Trafficking will certify the curriculum for the training and ensure lodging providers meet training requirements. The office announced Friday that it is providing a free online training at StopHTIowa.org. The new website provides tips for spotting human trafficking activity, an interactive map of state-certified lodging providers and a list of qualified training administrators, the news release said. State-certified lodging organizations must display their certification in the lobby or registration area.

The office, which monitors leads and reports from the public and law enforcement, has noticed increased reporting of human trafficking in Iowa. That could either be due to increased trafficking or higher frequency of reporting it, the release said.

“Like most crimes, human trafficking may be hidden from public view, and it can be challenging to determine the incidence and prevalence of the crime,” Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center and Office to Combat Human Trafficking Assistant Director Patrick Waymire told The Center Square in an emailed statement. “This law will hopefully increase awareness and reporting to save victims. We believe this initiative will be a catalyst to strengthen the partnership between lodging providers, law enforcement and their communities to work together to stamp out this horrible crime.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Iowa legislators appropriated $145,325 to create the training and certification process, develop the website, create marketing material and establish a Human Trafficking Coordinator position to monitor and facilitate the certification process under a law they passed in 2020.

“This law will be a success if law enforcement sees an increase in reporting from the public and our efforts can save even one victim, because one victim is one too many,” Waymire said.

He said the push to inform the public and the lodging industry of human trafficking and how they can work with law enforcement to address it has been local and national. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security operates the Blue Campaign.

“Human trafficking happens in Iowa, and we need Iowans to say something if they see something,” he said.

He said some red flags that could indicate human trafficking, which must be taken in context, are the following:

  • Working long, unusual hours without freedom to leave.
  • Participation in the commercial sex industry with a pimp/manager or as a child.
  • Under unusual restrictions at work, lack of breaks.
  • High security measures in work or living conditions, eg bars on windows, barbed wire.
  • Verbal or physical abuse by a supervisor.
  • Not provided proper safety equipment.
  • Unusual fearfulness after mention of law enforcement or immigration officials.
  • Paranoia.
  • Poor hygiene and malnourishment.
  • Signs of physical restraint or abuse.
  • Lack of personal possessions.
  • Not in control of own money or bank account.
  • Not allowed to speak for themselves.
  • Inability to state address.
  • Not knowing what city he or she is in.
  • Shares scripted stories.
  • Minimizes abuse.

To report human trafficking, call 911 or the Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888). The Iowa Victim Service Call Center number is 800-770-1650.

Tags: Human TraffickingIowa Department of Public SafetyIowa LegislaturePatrick WaymireU.S. Department of Homeland Security
ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Ernst: Under Biden, This Thanksgiving May Break the Bank

Next Post

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.9 percent in October

Mary Stroka

Mary Stroka

Mary Stoka is a freelance writer, editor, journalist, and public relations professional who lives in Chicago, Ill.

Related Posts

Bird Says She Will Challenge Tom Miller for Attorney General
State Government

Bird joins lawsuit against Biden Administration’s Parole Action

January 25, 2023
shallow focus photo of white open sigange
Opinion

Hendrickson & Patnode: Iowa needs regulatory reform to promote economic growth

October 5, 2022
Opinion

Hendrickson & Mozena: Time for tax credit reform

August 25, 2022
Reynolds signs bill phasing in 3.9 percent flat tax
Opinion

Hendrickson: Fostering a Competitive and Friendly Tax Climate

July 15, 2022
Reynolds, officials warn Iowans of danger of Fentanyl, fake pills
State Government

Reynolds, officials warn Iowans of danger of Fentanyl, fake pills

July 13, 2022
Axne Calls for President Trump’s Cabinet to Invoke the 25th Amendment
Federal Government

After Biden’s executive order, Axne calls for codification of Roe v. Wade

July 11, 2022
Next Post
Iowa’s New Unemployment Rate Holds Steady, Overall Rates Rise

Iowa’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.9 percent in October

Woods: Safe Driving is as Simple as ABC

Woods: Safe Driving is as Simple as ABC

Sign-Up For Our Daily Updates

Get The Iowa Torch right in your inbox!

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

Recommended Articles

Republicans Nominate Jon Dunwell in Iowa House District 29 Special Election

Dunwell Wins Special Election in Iowa House District 29

October 13, 2021
Haley Headed to Iowa to Speak at Iowa GOP Fundraiser

Haley Headed to Iowa to Speak at Iowa GOP Fundraiser

April 22, 2021
Carlin Throws Hat in the Ring for Iowa’s U.S. Senate Race in 2022

Carlin Files Bills Addressing Gender Identity Policies and Curriculum in Schools

January 19, 2022

Popular Stories

  • elderly couple walking on a flower field

    Sherman: Iowa can fight back against the Biden Administration’s attack on retirees and families

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • School restroom bill heads to Reynolds’ desk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ernst: Biden’s WOTUS whiplash.

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reynolds signs two bills addressing transgender children

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Horn: It’s time for employers get serious about Iowa’s untapped workforce

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

The Iowa Torch

The Iowa Torch​ is a for-profit, news organization that focuses on political news as it relates to Iowans

Categories

  • Education
  • Federal Government
  • Iowa History
  • Local Government
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • State Government
  • Uncategorized
  • Uncategorized

Newsletter

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • State Government
  • Federal Government
  • Local Government
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Opinion

© 2022 The Iowa Torch, a publication of 4:15 Communications, LLC.