Iowa secretary of state enlists QCA businesses in trafficking fight

QUAD CITIES, Iowa (KWQC) - Iowa resources are coming to the Quad Cities area to fight human trafficking.

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and his staff stopped by several QCA businesses Thursday, hoping to build partnerships against trafficking.

Pate said his office is leaning on business owners and workers to catch the signs of people being trafficked. He said it’s the state’s job to empower organizations who help people in these situations.

“A lot of it’s also helping fund some of the advocates because it’s not a free process,” Pate said. “You know, there’s gonna be some costs in trying to help people move from the dark side if you will, come out of the shadows of being a victim and becoming a survivor.”

Pate said people play a role too.

One thing he said people can look out for in their neighborhood is different cars with out-of-state plates showing up at odd hours of the day.