Battle against trafficking continues

State lawmakers deserve credit for recent advancements against human trafficking.

The Iowa Code chapter dealing with human trafficking - which is the use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit a person for sex or labor - was created in 2006. Last year, lawmakers strengthened the penalties for those convicted of trafficking minors and provided additional discretion to county prosecutors when working with minor victims.

But more work needs to be done.

With its network of interstate highways, rural areas and residents who choose to believe human trafficking either doesn't exist here or is a minor problem, Iowa has become a player in the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. The enterprise goes hand-in-hand with public health threats, organized crime and illicit drug trades.

The challenge is to raise awareness and change thinking surrounding the issue. The absence of young men and women on street corners does not mean that no sexual exploitation occurs in a community. A few clicks on the Internet reveal hundreds of classified ads offering escort services in and around Iowa. Many of those being advertised, according to researchers working alongside law enforcement, are either minors or young adults involved in human trafficking.

Even the best laws and most strenuous penalties do little good if people aren't taught how to identify those being exploited, ensuring victims of such crimes aren't punished with their captors.

A bill to bridge such training gaps was unanimously approved by the Iowa Senate in March, but has since been buried in a House Judiciary subcommittee led by Rep. Ken Rizer, a Cedar Rapids Republican.

The bill would increase training for law enforcement and collaboration between the state Attorney General's Office and advocacy groups in awareness campaigns, and would earmark a portion of the Victim Compensation Fund specifically for trafficking victims.

To date, no lobbyists have registered as being opposed to the bill. The Legislative Services Agency has determined state expense associated with the bill would be minimal.

Yet, it remains buried and advocacy groups have received no answers to their questions of when, if ever, it will be given consideration.

We urge lawmakers to bring the measure out of subcommittee, to give it a full airing in the Iowa House.

' Comments: (319) 398-8469; editorial@thegazette.com