Business : Join the 700 Iowa Businesses Fighting Trafficking

Will you join Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT)? IBAT is an educational and recognition program for businesses to learn the signs and raise awareness of human trafficking. The program celebrated its second anniversary in January, during Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. Since launching this program, IBAT has gained over 700 members from across the state and has connected with over 350,000 employees.

It's important to know the signs of human trafficking, so you can report it immediately. IBAT members continue to amaze me in their dedication to learn the signs of human trafficking and how they choose to raise awareness within their communities.

Our collective knowledge and education efforts play an essential role in preventing exploitation and supporting victims and survivors on the path to recovery. Together, we can amplify our voices to raise awareness, educate our communities, and advocate for victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month may have come to an end, but together, we can create a world where everyone can live free and safe year-round. I want you to sign your business up for Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking; visit IBAT.Iowa.gov today to apply.

IBAT is part of our address confidentiality program, Safe at Home, which provides survivors of violent crimes with a substitute address.

IBAT has partnered with Hy-Vee grocery store to 'Do Something' by sharing the anti-trafficking hotline sticker in their store restrooms and throughout their IndyCar summer event, which brings in thousands of attendees. Another grocery store, Fareway, implemented onboarding training for all staff and a yearly training to ensure current staff continue to be aware of the signs of human trafficking.

As a large corporation, you can take steps to implement human trafficking awareness in your current training. You can also share awareness stickers, social media graphics, and flyers in your stores and at events for your community and network to see.

You don't have to be a large corporation to take similar steps. Contact our office for toolkits and check out our resources page for more information.