January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Slavery has existed since biblical times — wars have been fought for equality and lives sacrificed to educate everyone on human value. It’s time to observe, read, pay attention and intervene. We are all valuable!

As Achieving Maximum Potential Statewide Coordinator and mother of a human trafficking survivor, I’m privileged to hear stories from survivors and learn firsthand how this happens. My child was rescued by an undercover police officer who put his own safety on the line by going into the heart of a trafficking business to bring her home. 

Trafficking in Iowa isn’t all about child/youth abductions. Most survivors were looking for friendship and it went too far, too fast. Some survivors ran from unsafe places and found more danger. 

Others saw the “life” as a means to popularity and financial success, while others were sold so caregivers could pay bills or buy drugs. Many do not ever leave their family homes and are trafficked by pimps using cell phones and threats. Long story short, human trafficking is a business, it’s all about money! 

All trafficking stories involve deception, threats and de-humanization. No one has chosen the “life.” Youth & Shelter Services serves survivors, as do most helping agencies. Survivors are here, meaning victims are too! It’s time to stop slavery in all its ugly capacities and value human beings!Achieving Maximum Potential plans to distribute posters to local businesses in hopes of having victims call the helpline number.

1-888-373-7888. Put this number in your phone right beside 911.

Stop thinking it’ll be someone else’s child/youth. Stop saying “it’s not here.” Stop living in denial. Slavery was here before you were. Get educated. Teach those you love how to be safer. We all have a role in this crime, choosing ignorance or denial isn’t an option.