Interestingly enough, the Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition started out as a small group of concerned citizens that would attend meetings where they talked about their concerns and discussed ideas. Jennifer Zielinski and Kevin Zielinski attended this group and they saw the need for leadership, in order to actualize these ideas. Jennifer really got this organization started from the ground up with funding help from the founder. What started as a casual group, in July of 2017, became a certified 501(C)3 by the following summer. Over the course of a year Jennifer had approximately 500 meetings with community leaders and legislators. They received the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) grant from the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance in July of 2018 and that’s when Kevin Zielinski and a few others were hired to expand on Jennifer’s efforts. At the time they were the first organization that received funding solely for human trafficking from the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance.

Today Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition, or IATC, provides a victim centered approach to services such as case management, crisis intervention, emergency housing, transportation, direct partner referrals and victim advocacy. They also provide education, training awareness and advocacy through conferences, outreach and educational training. One of the ways they do this is through a training called Human Trafficking 101. This class is provided free of charge, to small groups, organizations, businesses and churches. Human Trafficking 101 is meant to bring attention to the prevalence of human trafficking as well as to show what signs can be indicative of human trafficking.

Whenever there is a crisis such as what we have all been through within the last year, there are going to be vulnerable people and when there are vulnerable people there are going to be those who are looking to exploit them. There is this perception that human trafficking only happens in large cities or to victims that have somehow been kidnapped or smuggled. In reality, it is estimated that 80% of victims know their trafficker. The pandemic has created more opportunities for traffickers, with kids having additional screen time and being educated virtually. Something as simple as a chat room on a game that your child is playing can lead to a conversation where predators can request nude photos or offer to meet in person. The thing about human trafficking is that it truly can happen to anybody. With so much of dating taking place online it really is scary to think about. It can happen to anyone and it can be happening in your neighborhood.

The Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition also shares the distinction of being a participate in the governor’s subcommitee for human trafficking and has helped develop new legislation.

They were actively involved with two laws that have been developed and in having human trafficking defined. Without having human trafficking defined as a law there was essentially nothing to charge traffickers with. In general, Idaho is still 20 years behind the times when it comes to human trafficking.

The Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition also played an active role in getting traffickers or pimps to be able to be charged as a “stand alone crime.” Before it had to be in addition to a drug or assault charge for example.

Since the pandemic began the Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition has had the number of calls that it has received to its Crisis Support Line quadruple. The increase was gradual at first but some of the data that they receive from calls show the need for an organization such as this, not just in Eagle, but for the good of Idaho as well.

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The Idaho Anti-trafficking Coalition also offers 24/7 Crisis and Resource Counseling. If you or someone you know is being trafficked, or are in need of resources, please call or text the number below.