Heartland survivors shared their stories at Grace Church in Ottumwa to raise awareness about human trafficking. Brittany Sowder, founder of the Lighthouse Foundation, spoke about her experience being trafficked at the age of 15. Co-founder Heather Van Hemert-Glenn emphasized that trafficking is present in Iowa, with the state being the third highest in the country for sex trafficking.
Sowder’s story of being found during a sting operation and testifying against her traffickers shed light on the difficulties victims face in seeking justice. Teresa Davidson of Chains Interrupted stressed the importance of educating the community on signs of trafficking and prevention methods.
The recent arrest of Darnell Jones for trafficking in Ottumwa served as a stark reminder of the seriousness of the issue. The Lighthouse Foundation’s 2025 Legislative Agenda aims to establish a Human Trafficking Survivor Services Fund and strengthen victim assistance to combat trafficking effectively.
Through education and advocacy, the community can take steps to protect victims and prevent future cases of human trafficking in Iowa.
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Photo credit ktvo.com