February 4, 2025
January was a busy month for those working to educate and reduce cases of two troubling and trauma-inducing crimes.
In Idaho and across the nation, the first month of the year is dedicated to Stalking Awareness Month and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Whether it’s a case of forced labor or sexual exploitation, human trafficking in Idaho continues to pose challenges for law enforcement and victim service providers. There were some great stories about the issue in recent weeks, including one from KTVB and an on-air discussion hosted by Boise State Public Radio.
The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition is also the leading nonprofit working to prevent crimes of exploitation in Idaho. Last year, the organization provided services to 227 individuals and reported a 54 percent increase in demand for services. The coalition also operates a hotline and has staff willing to provide education about human trafficking, the warning signs, and the impact on victims.
For stalking awareness and prevention, the Idaho Press did some excellent reporting on the challenges and statistics of stalking. Two interesting themes from the stalking conversation this month are the changing nature of technology and how it’s being used to track the movement and activity of a stalking victim, reinforcing the controlling or demonstration of power that ultimately defines stalking.