by Michelle Watson
It’s time Iowans woke up to what is really happening right here in our state and in our own communities.
January is “Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.” This is the third article in a series of three that is exploring a variety of topics related to this disturbing issue.
“The more people who know the signs of trafficking, the smaller the world becomes for those who buy and sell our children,” said Linda Smith, founder and president of Shared Hope International.
The goal of these articles, a Shared Hope International and other organizations is to educate the general public – – especially those who may be in the direct line to witness human trafficking such as, police officers, health care workers, first responders, teachers, coaches, those in ministry, and people who work in hotels, restaurants, resorts and vacation rental owners.
“We just had department – wide training on human trafficking,” said Captain Mike Colby, of the Clear Lake Police Department. “Our training covered topics like how to investigate it, how to help those who have been trafficked and how to recognize it. We also partner with area agencies in taking a proactive stance. We look for opportunities to partner with non-traditional groups to educate the public on what to look for, how to report suspicious activity and prevention methods to help possible victims of human trafficking.”
Melody Stone is an ambassador with Shared Hope International and founder of the North Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking, which focuses on intervention efforts in 11 Iowa counties. She serves on the Iowa Human Trafficking Legislative Committee and provides no-cost professional training and prevention education. She also works with Hope For Justice, which provides training to law enforcement and first responders. Stone works with David Gonzalez and Greg Hall, who are both investigators with Hope For Justice.
“My focus is to get David, Greg and I on the road to saturate the area with knowledge about this topic,” said Stone.
As a therapist, Stone has had four girls on her caseload from rural communities around Clear Lake who have been trafficked. She said it’s important to pay attention to vulnerabilities that teens may have, because traffickers will look for these vulnerabilities and exploit them. Vulnerabilities may include: age, no solid family life, substance abuse in a family, loneliness, developmental disabilities and kids who are outcasts.
Traffickers can be anyone, according to Shared Hope International. Behaviors traffickers may display include:
•Get jealous easily, seem controlling or exhibit violence.
•Is significantly older than those they keep company with.
•Promise things that seem too good to be true.
•Encourage others to engage in illegal activities to achieve goals and dreams.
•Suggest they know how to help make a lot of money.
•Buy expensive gifts or like to flash money.
•Vague about their profession and can’t prove what they really do.
•Get pushy or demanding about sex.
•Want to take suggestive photos, encourage modeling or dancing for money.
•Makes others feel responsible for their financial stability. Very open about financial matters.
Signs that someone my be a victim of trafficking include:
•Unexplained absences from school.
•Runs away from home.
•Fearful, anxious, depressed, tense. Won’t make eye contact.
•Inability to speak for themselves.
•Deprived of food, water, sleep, medical care.
•Minimal contact with family.
•Tattoos or branding of someone’s name.
•Sexually transmitted diseases.
•Has multiple cell phones.
•Has few possessions.
•Is not in control of their own identification, cell phone or money.
•Has restricted or scripted communication.
•Shows signs of substance abuse or addictions. Has injuries or signs of physical abuse.
•Presence of an older, overly controlling “boyfriend” who escorts the minor, loiters in the bar, lobby or parking lot.
•Works excessively or unusual hours.
•Protects identity of person abusing them, or minimizes the signs of abuse.
Those who work in the hospitality industry can watch for the following:
•Numerous men going in and out of a hotel room, RV, camper, van or truck in short intervals.
•Trash cans with drug or sex paraphernalia or excessive amounts of alcohol in the room.
•People loitering in hallways outside of hotel rooms or parking lots.
•Portable massage tables in room with lights/cameras.
•Adult men going into private areas with a young person they just met.
•Minors lingering in parking lots, visiting multiple truck cabs, appearing solicitous.
•Vehicles parked for a long period of time, or vehicles that seem out of place (RV parked in a back lot during the day.)
Stone will hold a public educational seminar at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, at The Dock, 500 Main St., Clear Lake. The movie, “Gridshock,” will be shown. This is a riveting documentary exposing the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa. Stone will also speak on the subject of human trafficking in Iowa.
“Teens always need to remember, you’re not looking for them, but they are looking for you,” said Stone.
A personal note: By being more aware of what to look for, the public may be the link needed to rescue someone from the trafficking industry and to see justice done to perpetrators.
If you witness behaviors that you find suspect, contact the numbers listed in the box on this page. If timeliness is important, call 9-1-1.
