Bettendorf proclaims January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month; advocate urges $1 million state fund for survivors

Bettendorf Mayor Robert Gallagher read a proclamation at the Jan. 6 City Council meeting declaring January 2026 Human Trafficking Awareness Month and urged residents to report suspected trafficking to the national hotline.

The proclamation noted the historical basis of anti-slavery law and the work of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery. "If you see something that doesn't look right, take action," the mayor read, and he provided the National Human Trafficking Hotline number announced during the meeting.

Maggie Tinsman, identified in the meeting as chair of the Breaking Trafficking Advisory Council and secretary of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery, thanked the council and described a statewide shortage of resources for survivor services. "I was asking our legislature for $1,000,000 for human trafficking survivor services fund," Tinsman said, and urged attendees to contact their state senators and representatives to request that appropriation.

Tinsman said the network seeks an initial $1,000,000 allocated in the attorney general's budget to create a survivor-services fund to support social-service agencies statewide, including Family Resources and juvenile restoration facilities. A local police officer at the meeting praised increased training on trafficking for law enforcement over the past decade.

The mayor invited the advocates for a photograph and thanked them for their work. The proclamation and remarks were delivered during the meeting's ceremonial portion; no formal council action was required beyond receipt of the proclamation.