Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds reaffirmed Iowa’s dedication to fighting Human Trafficking by signing a proclamation declaring January to be “Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.”
Along with the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery, (NAHT), Governor Reynolds recognized several individuals as well as the West Liberty Rotary Club on Thursday, Jan. 14 in the State Capitol for their outstanding efforts in fighting sex and labor trafficking in Iowa.
The Rotary Club of West Liberty was just one element of Rotary’s effort in fighting this heinous crime in Iowa, according to Tom Barr, the local chairman for West Liberty's program. The local Rotary Club distinguished themselves in bringing education to the community over the past four years, working with Braking Traffik, a Division of Family Services of Davenport.
The organization’s community programs included general public forums, presentations to their local Christian Youth Group and the entire staff and faculty of the West Liberty Community School District.
Additionally, due to the fact the community is 52 percent Latino, the Club developed a "Dual-Language Rescue Sticker," which is placed in restroom stalls of restaurants, service stations, convenient stores and any other public restroom with the owner’s permission. The Rescue Sticker provides both an Iowa and National 800 Phone Number plus an Iowa and National Text Number for Help or Assistance.
Barr, the Rotary Club of West Liberty chairman for human trafficking education, has been instrumental in every step the organization has taken in raising funds and providing programs to help educate local residents about human trafficking and sex trafficking and was instrumental in developing the stickers, which would be life-saving or life-changing for victims.
Club member Cliff McFerren traveled to Des Moines to collect the award on behalf of the West Liberty organization that now hopes to expand their knowledge concerning the issue to other clubs in the district.
Also participating in the recognition was the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery, (NAHT), which just Celebrated their 15th Anniversary in 2020. The NAHT Organization was founded by Dr. George Belitsos, a member of the Rotary Club of Ames.
The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery (NAHT) was Iowa’s first and remains the only statewide volunteer organization devoted exclusively to ending human trafficking in all its forms.
The NAHT believes human trafficking is modern day slavery where vulnerable people are forced or coerced into involuntary servitude for the purpose of financial profit for traffickers. The organization also believes that human trafficking is:
• A crime against the most basic human rights, affecting women, children and men.
• An underground activity about which there is limited information and knowledge.
• The result of complex issues with global magnitude, involving social, economic, health, political and legal factors.
• Force or coercion need not to be shown for a minor to be considered a victim of trafficking.
Rotary also celebrated the First Non-Geographic Rotary Club in 2020: “District 5950 Ending Human Trafficking” an organization fighting to end human trafficking. The Rotary Club previously served Minneapolis and Central & Western Minnesota, but now has members from four Foreign Countries and across the United States.
Rotary District 6000 of Iowa has also developed a resolution being submitted to Rotary International. The resolution asks Rotary International to take a more active role in fighting both sex and labor trafficking around the globe, noting there are over 40 million trafficking victims worldwide.
Why is Rotary involved in the Human Trafficking issue? With over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, is uniquely positioned to solve global issues, has a successful track record including the eradication of Polio, and can mobilize thousands of Rotary clubs to tackle this issue in their own communities.
Rotary is the largest global service organization, with clubs in over 33,000 communities worldwide. Rotarians are dedicated to providing service to others and advancing peace and goodwill, within their communities and around the world.
The list of exceptional Iowa anti-trafficking heroes honored by the governor and the NAHT organization last week included:
Ruth Buckels, Advocate Extraordinaire - Foster/adoptive parent to eight sex trafficked female survivors. Buckels is also a licensed therapist and has been a counselor to dozens of victims and survivors.
Marc Kirkbaum, U.S. Attorney For The Southern District of Iowa - When Kirkbaum became U.S. Attorney, he prioritized human trafficking investigation and prosecution.
West Liberty Rotary Club - This service club organized four anti-trafficking education and prevention projects for the public schools and community at large
Iowa City Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Task Force - This task force carried out a sex trafficking investigation that received what is considered the highest federal honor for victim services by law enforcement.
Stacy West, a sex trafficking survivor who has turned her scars into stars - According to her nominator, West is the very definition of a trafficking “survivor”.
In addition to the World experiences 40-plus million trafficking victims, the United States have over 460,000 children reported missing each year and in 2017, Iowa reported 4,11 children missing, an average of 12 per day.