The Sisters of St. Francis Franciscan Peace Center is sponsoring “Human Trafficking: Doorways to Freedom” to build awareness about human trafficking. ‘Read More’ for details and locations of exhibits (and pictures of some of the ‘doorways’). (statement & images provided by the Franciscan Peace Center)
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and an excellent time to educate the public that human trafficking is happening right here in Iowa. Awareness is the first key to prevention.
This exhibit, on display through the end of January, is a series of doors displayed at various locations around Clinton. Each door is unique and has photos, written words, and/or general information about human trafficking. Several have specific information about Iowans who are trafficking survivors telling of their experience. Information about warning signs, the hotline number, and other educational materials are also available at each site.
The following locations have a door or window display:
• Canticle, 841 13th Ave. N.
• Community Health Clinic, 925 S. 4th St.
• Clinton Public Library, 306 8th Ave. S.
• YWCA, 317 7th Ave. S.
• Clinton City Hall, 611 S. 3rd St.
• Clinton National Bank, 235 6th Ave. S.
• Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, 721 S. 2nd St.
• Van Allen Building Window, 200 5th Ave. S.
• Corner Deli, 246 5th Ave. S.
• Information Referral & Assistance Services, 415 S. 3rd St.
• Clinton Community College, 1000 Lincoln Blvd.
• Victory Center Resale Store, 100 6th Ave. N.
• RSVP, 315 S. 2nd St.
• Gateway State Bank , 1427 2nd St.
• Mercy Medical Center, 1410 N. 4th St.
• Renaissance Resale Boutique, 2319 N. 2nd St.
• Gateway State Bank – 2600 Lincolnway
• Wild Rose Casino, 777 Wild Rose Dr.
• Erickson Community Center, 1401 11th Ave. N.
• Ashford University, 400 N. Bluff
• Clinton County Courthouse, 7th Ave. N and 4th St.
• Clinton Administration Building, 20th Ave. N. and 3rd St.
Most people think of human trafficking as a crime that takes place in Third World Countries. But it’s happening right here in Iowa. “Iowa is the perfect hiding place for this crime due to several factors,” according to Michael Ferjak of the Iowa Attorney Generals’ office. “We have a low per capita presence of law enforcement and we live in the center of the country at the crossroads of Interstate Highways 35 and 80.”
As defined under U.S. federal law, victims of human trafficking include anyone under 18 who is involved in the sex trade; and adults, who as a result of force, fraud or coercion, are deceived into commercial sex acts and into different forms of labor such as domestic workers held in a home, or farm-workers forced to labor against their will.
The International Labor Organization estimates that globally, human trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide and there are 20.9 million victims.
• 68% of them are trapped in forced labor.
• 26% of them are children – average age is 13.
• 55% are women and girls.
In addition to seeing the door display, learn more about human trafficking and what you can do to protect our children and vulnerable populations by seeing the movie “In Plain Sight” on Thursday, Jan. 14th at 6:30 at The Canticle, 843 13th Ave. N., Clinton. This film features the stories of six female abolitionists fighting against sex trafficking in the U.S.
For more information, go to www.clintonfranciscans.com. And visit Facebook: Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa.
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