Ames Mayor proclaims January 2026 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Mayor John A. Hale opened the Ames City Council meeting on Dec. 16 and read a proclamation declaring January 2026 Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, urging residents to report suspicious activity and noting the national human trafficking hotline (888‑373‑7888).

Doctor George, speaking for a statewide anti‑human trafficking volunteer network, told the council the group has marked 20 years of volunteer service and handed members a newsletter with recent data. "They just came out with a 6 month report for the first 6 months of 2025," he said, and cited sharp increases in online enticement and sextortion cases. He warned about predators using online games and said the legislature and federal authorities have been slow to address AI's role in exploitation.

Doctor George and volunteers from local partners—including YSS and student groups—asked the council to continue raising public awareness and supporting survivor services. The mayor and council acknowledged the proclamation and the role local organizations play in prevention and survivor support; no formal action beyond the proclamation was required.

The proclamation and the supporting materials were presented to council members during the opening of the meeting and are available through city staff on request.