March 19, 2024

Locals realizing the reality of human trafficking

Citizens of Newton and Jasper County have become more aware of the reality of human trafficking thanks to a local group called “Newton Says ‘No’ to Human Trafficking.”

Since the fall of 2014, community leaders, members of law enforcement, educators, teens, health care workers and other volunteers have been working together to raise awareness about this form of modern-day slavery. This crime occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will. Human trafficking is not a crime that happens "somewhere else" in the world. No part of the country is immune, and it is happening in our own state.

Just last year there were 30 reported cases of human trafficking in Iowa. Jasper County’s proximity to Interstate 80 and Interstate 35 creates a particular problem. Because traffickers and their victims are highly mobile, they often travel along these roads to major trafficking hubs in Chicago, Omaha, Minneapolis and Kansas City. We should be aware of the possibility that we may have already seen victims of trafficking in our community without knowing they were victims. Our awareness of this crime could free someone from a life of entrapment, violence and a total lack of freedom.

The facts are staggering. One in three runaway children is lured into prostitution within 48 hours of running away. An estimated 244,000 American children are at risk of child sexual exploitation. The average age of entry into prostitution is 12-14. No one wakes up one morning and decides to become a prostitute. Unfortunately, traffickers most often target emotionally at-risk and vulnerable youth — both boys and girls — sometimes as young as age 11, befriend them, and promise a glamorous life. When they get them in their clutches, there is a grooming period where they work to gain their confidence. The next step is forcing the victims into a life of prostitution. This process of recruitment, seduction, isolation, coercion and violence is no match for the vulnerability of children. Trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world and generates $32 billion a year. In the last eight years, more than 21,000 total cases of human trafficking have been reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline.

So how do we know if someone is victim of human trafficking? The most common sign is “the absence of normal” in any given situation. Is the person not allowed to speak for himself/herself? Do there seem to be few personal possessions? Are there signs of fear or anxiety? Does the person seem not to be in control of what’s going on? If you see something, do something. Note as many details as possible. First, call 911. Secondly, place a call to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or send a text to BeFree (233733). Don’t attempt to intervene. Our local police would rather answer a call and find nothing wrong than risk the possibility of a victim of trafficking go undetected.

While only in existence since the fall of 2014, “Newton Says ‘No’ to Human Trafficking” has held monthly meetings, given several informational workshops and presentations to local organizations and churches, and served as a liaison to engage a speaker for the high school health classes. The group has been fortunate to work with Michael Ferjak, director of the Human Trafficking Enforcement and Prosecution Initiative with the Iowa Office of the Attorney General. His expertise and guidance have been invaluable in helping us work to spread awareness of the unthinkable crime of human trafficking.

If you would like to get involved with "Newton Says 'No' to Human Trafficking," please contact us at newtonsaysno@gmail.com. For more information you can also 'like' our Facebook page.