Statewide Iowa — Several Iowa businesses and trade groups have joined a new alliance to combat human trafficking in the state.
The Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking or I-BAT is an initiative by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s office.
Anyone filing the required paperwork for a new business in Iowa uses the registration portal in Pate’s office.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline fielded nearly 300 calls from Iowa in 2020, leading to 78 criminal investigations.
Pate says businesses can educate both employees AND customers about the signs of human trafficking. The Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery already has a training program for hotel employees and is supporting Pate’s initiative.
