What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry where people use force or persuasion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex. The average age of a trafficked victim is 13 years old, and most victims never find a way out of trafficking. Luckily, there are organizations like the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition, which assists people in leaving these situations and starting a brand new life.
What is the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition (IATC)?
The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition, located in Boise, Idaho, was founded to provide awareness, education, services, and safe housing for victims of human trafficking. They are committed to building strong community partnerships in order to bring the best knowledge and support to trafficked victims. IATC believes that finding the right resources is one of the fastest ways to help a trafficked victim find safety and leave a bad situation.
Jennifer Zielinski, IATC Executive Director, told me, “In the year 2022, the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition (IATC) responded to an increase in crisis hotline calls, crisis intervention, direct victim assistance, case management, direct partner referrals, and educational training.” With this increase in calls and interventions, the IATC also secured additional funding and were able to expand their partnerships in order to reach more victims of human trafficking and provide greater access to a reliable system of care.
IATC believes educating the general public about human trafficking will help raise awareness and put an end to this atrocious act. That’s why they’ve created Human Trafficking 101 presentations. These seminars are presented at various community partners from schools to mental health agencies, to community centers, and more.
Their Mission
IATC is hopeful that, one day, through their anti-trafficking efforts, children, youth, and adults in Idaho will have access to a victim-centered system of care that contributes to their education, health, and safety. As they look forward to a year of expansion and growth, IATC is striving to secure sustainable funding and statewide partnerships to ensure that victims and survivors of human sex trafficking have access to victim-centered approaches in all systems.
How to Support IATC
One of the easiest and most effective ways to help end human trafficking is by simply saying something if you see something that seems off. It’s common to brush uncomfortable instances aside, but by speaking up or calling the police, you could save a life.
If you are wanting to get involved on a deeper level, there are many different anti-human trafficking organizations all over the United States that are needing volunteers. If you’re not sure where or how to find one, try reaching out to your local police station or a local Salvation Army; they should be able to point you in the right direction.
If you want to directly support the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition, you can donate directly on their website: www.idahoatc.org
Together we can change the world around us and make a difference in someone’s life!
