Secretary Pate launches statewide coalition to end human trafficking in Iowa

DES MOINES – Secretary of State Paul Pate announces the creation of a statewide alliance with Iowa’s business community to end human trafficking in the state. Several of the state’s largest trade organizations have already joined the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking (IBAT) coalition.

Membership in IBAT is open to any business or nonprofit organization that operates in the State of Iowa and shares a commitment to taking steps to promote awareness of human trafficking and the Iowa Safe at Home program. Safe at Home is an address confidentiality program for survivors of human trafficking and other violent crimes. Both IBAT and Safe at Home are administered by Secretary Pate’s office.

“My office is the business portal for the State of Iowa, and we’ll be inviting every business in the state to join this effort,” Secretary Pate said. “We are going to build a statewide, grassroots coalition that will unite with one common mission: to make Iowa a trafficking-free state.”

The announcement by Secretary Pate was made during a ceremony on Thursday at the State Capitol with Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery.

“We are grateful to have been invited to collaborate with the Secretary of State in the design and creation of the IBAT program,” said George Belitsos, chair of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery. “Secretary Pate is to be commended for launching IBAT and giving all of Iowa’s businesses the opportunity to join the fight to end modern slavery and human trafficking in our state.”

Businesses that join IBAT are asked to complete two tasks each year: “Learn Something” and “Do Something”. Businesses will commit to “Learn Something” by educating employees, customers, and industry partners on the signs and impact of human trafficking in Iowa. Businesses can “Do Something” by empowering more people to take action to prevent human trafficking in Iowa.

“Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery, and it must end,” Secretary Pate said. “It affects thousands of people across the U.S., and it happens right here in Iowa. Whether it’s a large corporation or a mom and pop store on Main Street with one employee, every business can join, and every business can make a difference.”

Businesses can learn more about IBAT and apply for membership at IBAT.Iowa.gov.

A 90 second video detailing the IBAT program is available for your use at this link.

Members receive a window decal of the IBAT logo to place in their business. The logo is available for your use at this link.

Two soundbites from Secretary Pate are available for your use at this link and this link.

Businesses and organizations that have already joined IBAT include:

American Council of Engineering Companies Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa, Inc.

Atlantic Bottling Company

Beeline and Blue

Cemen Tech

Community Bankers of Iowa

Community Foundation for Inspired Giving

Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Home Builders Association of Iowa

Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa

Iowa Association of Business and Industry

Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives

Iowa Automobile Dealers Association

Iowa Bankers Association

Iowa Biotechnology Association

Iowa Business Council

Iowa Engineering Society

Iowa Good Roads Association

Iowa Grocery Industry Association

Iowa Hospital Association

Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association

Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery

Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center

Iowa Restaurant Association

Iowa Society of Association Executives

Iowa Water Well Association

Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association

Jackson Mfg. Inc

Live Now Consign & Designs

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Pate Asphalt Systems Company

Society of Land Surveyors of Iowa

St. Vincent de Paul

Two Tone Creative

Posted by on Jan 13 2022. Filed under State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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