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As an Iowa business owner, you can take action and help prevent human trafficking.

Your commitment is to Learn Something and Do Something
Apply Now

IBAT: Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking

Human trafficking can affect ANYONE.

Human trafficking is a 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 or her will.

Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) is a statewide recognition and education program from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office, empowering businesses to help in the fight to end human trafficking through trainings and outreach opportunities.

Join today and help make Iowa a trafficking-free state.

Apply Now

Your Commitment

Learn Something

Educate your employees, customers, and industry partners on the signs and impact of human trafficking in Iowa.

Learn Something
Do Something

As a member of IBAT, your business can help share facts, tips, and action items that others can take against human trafficking.

Do Something
Make a Difference
Learn Something + Do Something

By empowering more people to take action, your business can do its part to help prevent human trafficking in Iowa.

Resources

Get empowered with tips and resources to help prevent human trafficking.

Iowa Network Against Human TraffickingNational Human Trafficking Hotline

Get Involved

1. Apply Now

After you complete the brief application form, you’ll be recognized as an official IBAT partner with a certificate and window cling for your business.

2. Become Informed

Our website provides resources for you and your business to learn more about the impact of human trafficking in our state. By reviewing these materials and offering them to your employees and customers, your business can take the first step in understanding the signs of human trafficking.

3. Help Prevent Human Trafficking

Empower your employees, customers, and industry partners to help prevent human trafficking in Iowa.

Apply Now

About Human Trafficking

  • Human trafficking is a felony under Iowa law.
  • After drug dealing, human trafficking is tied with arms dealing as the second-largest criminal industry in the world, generating about $32 billion each year (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
  • Many human trafficking victims are children.
  • According to a study of U.S. Department of Justice human trafficking task force cases, 83 percent of sex trafficking victims identified in the United States were U.S. citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many are affected by human trafficking in the United States?

The U.S. Department of State estimates that between 14,500 to 17,500 people are trafficked into the United States each year. Human trafficking can affect anyone – male, female, adult or child. People can be trafficked within their state, country or internationally, and trafficking victims represent a variety of socioeconomic levels.

What are risk factors for human trafficking?

While human trafficking can happen to anyone, some individuals are at greater risk due to:

  • Recent migration or relocation
  • Substance use/abuse
  • Mental health concerns
  • Involvement with the child welfare system
  • Being a runaway or homeless youth

How do traffickers control victims?

Traffickers use the following tactics to control their victims:

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Threats or intimidation
  • Isolation from friends and family
  • Threats towards the victim’s family
  • Meeting physical or emotional needs
  • Promising a false timeline of liberation

What are the signs of human trafficking?

While human trafficking might look different in each situation, there are a few common threads you can watch out for:

  • Living with employer
  • Poor living conditions
  • Multiple people in cramped space
  • Inability to speak to individual alone
  • Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
  • Employer is holding identity documents
  • Signs of physical abuse
  • Submissive or fearful
  • Unpaid or paid very little
  • Under 18 and in prostitution

Source: The U.S. State Department

How can I help?

If you see a situation where you believe someone is being trafficked, here’s what you can do:

  • Call your local law enforcement agency by dialing 911 and reporting what you see
  • For victim services in Iowa, contact the Iowa Helpline at 1-800-770-1650 or text “IOWAHELP” to 20121
  • Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-373-7888 (to report a tip or request services).

If you’re a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking, and assault, you may be eligible to participate in Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program.

Iowa Safe at Home

Paul D. Pate

Iowa Secretary of State

Service · Participation · Integrity

Office of the Iowa Secretary of State
515.725.0174