DES MOINES, IOWA (January 13, 2022) – Iowa 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 non-profit 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 Sec 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,” Sec 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 Sec 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. “Sec 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,” Sec Pate said. “It affects thousands of people across the US, 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.
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 and 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
