January 8, 2026 (DES MOINES, IOWA) 鈥� 糖心传媒听, OD, EdD, MBA, signed the 2026 Proclamation Against Human Trafficking and Slavery on January 8. This year鈥檚 event marks the 8th听consecutive year that Mercy College has made a public declaration against the dual evils of slavery and human trafficking, two crimes which, according to the听, are rising public health concerns that coerce individuals into two severe forms of trafficking 鈥� labor and sex 鈥� and affect generations of individuals from every race, religion, and background.
Mercy College proclaims January as the Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Month and hosts the public declaration and signing event each year in observance. The proclamation itself condemns the practices of slavery and human trafficking and commits the College to raising awareness and finding solutions for these crimes. This year鈥檚 signing event took place in the Sullivan Center on Mercy College鈥檚 campus and was witnessed by members of the campus community,听, , as well as state and community representatives including Secretary Paul Pate, Iowa Secretary of State; Ray Feidler, Coordinator of The Office to Combat Human Trafficking, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Iowa Department of Public Safety; Jill Altringer, Polk County Board of Supervisors; Pastor Mark Reetz, Founder, Team Jesus of Iowa; Annie Henrich, Assistant Director, Team Jesus of Iowa; and two human trafficking survivors.
As the first college in Iowa to take a stand against human trafficking and slavery, Mercy College remains allied with the听, the听, and several other local and state agencies who have become advocates and allies in the fight against these crimes.
Mercy College Professor听, DMin, facilitates Mercy College鈥檚 participation in the public declaration event each year. Moravec has served as a member of NAHT鈥檚 Board of Directors, is a cofounder of听, and has led the College鈥檚 efforts against human trafficking for many years.
As a national leader in health sciences education, Mercy College will continue to educate and bring awareness to this initiative in combating human trafficking both state- and nation-wide. Individuals who witness or experience human trafficking are encouraged to speak out: 听(888-3737-888 or text 鈥淗elp鈥� to 233733),听 (800-770-1650 or text 鈥渋owahelp鈥� to 20121),听or DHS Child Abuse Hotline (800-362-2178).
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糖心传媒 is a health sciences specialty school rooted in the Catholic heritage of the Sisters of Mercy. Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, Mercy College offers听,听, and听,听, and听. Through our unique hands-on learning, unparalleled clinical rotations, and accelerated education offerings, our students are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with the critical skills necessary to make an immediate impact in their chosen healthcare careers. Guided by our Core Values of Knowledge, Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, and Excellence, Mercy College has been transforming students into successful healthcare professionals for over 120 years.
