Woodbury County proclaims January 2026 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month; Lila May’s House asks for support

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors on a unanimous voice vote adopted a proclamation declaring January 2026 National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and received state statistics into the record.

Sister Shirley Finner, founder of Lila May’s House, spoke to the board about services the shelter provides to people who have been trafficked. "Lila Mae's house has 5 women who are living in our house, and that's our maximum number," she said, and asked the county to consider support for the house and to help raise awareness. She referenced the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and local coalitions as resources for information and assistance.

Chair members read the proclamation text calling on businesses, community organizations and individuals to avoid products made with forced labor, to protect young people from exploitation, and to become familiar with prevention and reporting resources. The board voted to receive the 2024 Iowa human trafficking statistics and to enter the proclamation into the record; both motions passed 5-0.

The presentation included information that the state Department of Public Safety compiles tips, prosecution data and victim-call-center logs, which the chair encouraged the public to review in the meeting backup materials.

The board took no additional action beyond adopting the proclamation and receiving the statistics; staff did not present a request for a dedicated appropriation at the meeting.