Human trafficking continues to be an issue throughout the State of Iowa, and to help combat the problem Governor Kim Reynolds recently declared January as “Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month.

Reynolds lamented the fact that dozens of victims are trafficked through the state every day, with most going undetected and unreported. However, she’s using that statistic to rally people to join together to prevent the crime around the world. She believes having more eyes and ears available can help stop the problem by keeping law enforcement better informed about what’s transpiring in the community.

Reynolds made the awareness month proclamation on January 17th, and on that day she welcomed Dr. George Belitsos, who is the board chair of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery. After signing the proclamation, the pair recognized five Iowans for their contributions and commitment to eradicating sex and labor trafficking. Those individuals were Teresa Davidson, Joy Fopma, Stephen Patrick O’Meara, Vanessa McNeal, and Motor Vehicle Enforcement Chief David Lorenzen. Belitsos expressed his thanks on behalf of the Network to Reynolds for shining the spotlight on human trafficking. He also reminds people, “If you see something, say something.”