A number of constituents have contacted me in recent weeks regarding the issue of human trafficking. I understand that a local church is studying the issue. I appreciate that there are people in our community who concern themselves with important issues of justice that, unfortunately, remain below the radar of public consideration. Many people may think human trafficking only happens in other countries, but it is right here in Iowa as well. Someone was recently prosecuted in Cedar Rapids under the federal human trafficking laws.

Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. Annually, about 600,000 to 800,000 people—mostly women and children—are trafficked across national borders, and this does not count the millions trafficked within their own countries. People are snared into trafficking by many means. Sometimes physical force is used by traffickers to instill fear in their victims. In other cases, victims are lured by promises of employment or marriage opportunities. Many victims of human trafficking are forced to work in prostitution or the sex entertainment industry. Others are sold into domestic servitude, including domestic and farm labor.

Human trafficking has a devastating impact on individual victims, who often suffer physical and emotional abuse, rape, threats against self and family, passport theft, and even death. But the impact of human trafficking goes beyond individual victims, as it undermines the health, safety and security of all nations it touches.

Human trafficking, already a federal crime, would become a state crime in Iowa under pending legislation. In response to the concern about human trafficking, the Iowa House Judiciary Committee approved SF 2219, establishing felony penalties for knowingly engaging in human trafficking. This is defined as participating in a venture to recruit, harbor, transport or supply persons for forced labor or commercial sexual activity. This bill passed the Iowa Senate, 50 to 0.

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I support this bill. It requires a law enforcement agency investigating a human trafficking crime to notify the Iowa Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General is directed to communicate with the federal government regarding the investigation and notify them regarding whether the victim or victims are cooperating with the investigation. Victims may then be eligible for special immigrant status and benefits.

This legislation specifies that victims of human trafficking are eligible for assistance through Iowa’s crime victim compensation program and are entitled to refugee status. Finally, the bill directs the Legislative Council to appoint a legislative interim study committee to identify the needs of trafficking victims and of agencies that serve victims of trafficking.

I would expect that this bill will pass unanimously when it is debated in the Iowa House of Representatives. Let me know your opinion of this bill or other legislative issues.  You can write me at the State Capitol, Des Moines, IA 50319; call me at 515/281-7328 or e-mail me at ro.foege@legis.state.ia.us.

Ro

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