State encourages businesses to watch for trafficking

Coens Home Furnishings owner Meg McGrath knows odds are slim for a shoplifter in her store purely for the size of items she sells. But when people have entered and want to use Coens as a place to hide, it has changed her mind about suspicious people.

In the past three years, two people have used Coens as an escape from their domestic partner in an abusive relationship. The state of Iowa wants places like Coens to know they can identify victims of trafficking and domestic crimes.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate announced Jan. 13 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 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.

McGrath said her first incident happened a few years ago. She did not have evidence to think it was trafficking, but still an unsettling moment.

“A woman came in the store and looked bewildered, scared, edgy,” she said. “She said she needed to hide from her boyfriend.”

McGrath did not know who the woman, didn’t know what to do, but believed the woman was being threatened. The woman’s boyfriend eventually rode past the store on a bicycle.

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

“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,” according to Pate in a press release. “We are going to build a statewide, grassroots coalition that will unite with one common mission: to make Iowa a trafficking-free state.”

“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.

Earlier this month, another woman entered Coens.

“I thought she was on something. She said she just wanted to shop as that would make her feel better,” McGrath explained. The woman was victim of abuse as her husband had jail time.

McGrath said she has since informed the store’s staff on how to respond to customers who may be using the store as an escape from a domestic issue. After further research, McGrath said she can refer people in need to Southern Iowa Resources with offices in Creston, Leon and Corydon. The Creston office is at 201 W. Monroe Suite B and can be reached by telephone at 641-782-4170.

“Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery, and it must end,” 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.