Learn about the programs and projects Chains Interrupted uses to fight against human trafficking.
“UnChainEd” Community Coalition
Chains Interrupted created and maintains the “UNited Coalition for Human Trafficking Awareness, Information, Networking and EDucation” Community Coalition. This collaborative, community response group includes over 170 individuals, organizations and businesses in Cedar Rapids and along the I-380 area. Quarterly meetings on the 4th Tuesday in the months of January, April, July, and October from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, provide intentional networking, educational sessions, updates, and identify action steps members can do to fight human trafficking. You are welcome to attend! Please email Info@ChainsInterrupted.com for more information or to register.
In 2019, the Coalition helped pass a Cedar Rapids ordinance to license and monitor illicit massage parlors. This and other efforts help keep illegal activity out of the massage therapy industry and reduce human trafficking.
School Project
Traffickers target children.
The Chains Interrupted school project serves the Grant Wood Area Education Agency. We train volunteers to reach out to vulnerable school-age children by visiting schools. Our Volunteers warn youth to about the manipulation and deceit that traffickers use to lure them into sexual exploitation. We also seek to reach parents and teachers with this important information.
Hotel/Motel Project
Some studies have shown up to 70-90% of human trafficking takes place in hotels or motels. This highlights the importance of educating staff at these establishments.
We partnered with the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking to create a video that trains hotel and motel staff about trafficking. It is currently housed on the Department of Public Safety’s website here: https://stophtiowa.org/training-library. Staff learns how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, and what to do should they see something.
Should you prefer a live presenter, please contact us at Info@ChainsInterrupted.com.
Presentations for Health Care Professionals
A recent study in the Annals of Health Law showed up to 88% of human trafficking survivors say they received care from a health care professional during the time of their captivity, yet very few received help. Most health care professionals state they have not received training in the signs of human trafficking, and a plan of action.
Mercy Medical Center (MMC) in Cedar Rapids is the first hospital in Iowa (and fifth in the nation) to hire an Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator in a hospital, making MMC a safe place for victims to find help. The Coordinator also assists other hospitals and clinics through trainings and to formulate policies and procedures to potentially assist the 88%!
Mercy Medical Center provides human trafficking presentations for health care professionals to teach them to recognize the signs of human trafficking. These presentations are not provided by Chains Interrupted – however, we want to bring attention to what is being offered in our community and help you schedule a speaker (see link below)!
Request a speaker for your hospital or clinic.
“Technology, Our Kids and Human Trafficking”
Online grooming has become the #1 way traffickers find and recruit their victims. The pandemic created a perfect storm to accelerate human trafficking, with everyone (children and predators alike) online now more than ever before. Children do not have the developmental capability to handle what WILL be thrown at them online, and parents/guardians often do not have the knowledge or tools for how to best protect them.
If you are interested in hosting a presentation on this topic, please contact us at Info@ChainsInterrupted.com.
