(Des Moines, IA) -- New strategies are being used to combat human trafficking in Iowa.
"We've developed a new tipline telephone number," said Patrick Waymire, with the Iowa Department of Public Safety. He says the line is open, even if someone is just suspicious about a person or their circumstances.
"They can call regarding anything," Waymire said, "if they just need some help. If they know a family member or friend that they are concerned about [or] they're suspicious about, they can report that. Anything is helpful, because if we don't hear it, we can't do anything about it."
He says they're also working with lodging providers to be on the lookout. "That will help identify what to look for," Waymire said, "along with the other training we provide to the public and to law enforcement."
He says a number of symptoms can be recognized, especially in victims of labor trafficking.
"Poor hygiene, you know, being very tired, not having control of their own identity, for example passports, or any other identification, which prevents them from being able to leave. It controls what they can and cannot do."
Waymire also says the Iowa Office to Combat Human Trafficking has now created a 19-agency task force to help with prevention efforts.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
The tipline is 855-614-4692 (855-614-IOWA) or more at stophtiowa.org.
