SOLON — Solon schools may soon take a step forward in the fight against human trafficking by introducing a prevention program aimed at educating students, staff, and parents.

At Solon Community School District (SCSD) school board meeting Thursday, Feb. 20, Nikki Stallman, the outreach program coordinator for Chains Interrupted, along with volunteer Diane Wurzer made their case for why they believe the human trafficking prevention curriculum should be taught in Solon schools. Chains Interrupted is a nonprofit combating human trafficking and exploitation in Iowa, the United States, and the world.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, it is estimated that over 100,000 children are trafficked internationally each year for sex. Also, a study published in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology found that a survey with 500 physicians showed that less than 10% could identify if they had encountered a trafficked person and only 20% knew what to do if they did.

Stallman emphasized the importance of schools in the fight against human trafficking by showing the connection that students have with staff.

“Schools play a huge role in that because our teachers and our staff spend so much time for our young people, and they are a very important part in helping them keep safe,” Stallman said to the board.

Chains Interrupted offers a three-part program to help schools teach human trafficking prevention.

The first way is to teach students. They want to go into classrooms and have a period where students are educated about human trafficking, grooming, and being able to see it in friends.

The second way is to provide training for staff and faculty. Teachers receive similar training as students but also learn how to recognize signs that a student might be a victim of human trafficking.

The third way is to encourage schools to have a parent night. Stallman emphasized this point, explaining that to be a trusted adult, one must first be informed.

“Truthfully, if we’re telling our kids to go to a trusted adult, then we need to have trusted adults that understand what they’re talking about,” Stallman said.

Chains Interrupted has already gone to some schools in Iowa. At Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids, they go into the school one day a year and talk to the seventh- and tenth-grade students.

Alongside schools, Chains Interrupted has been to hotels, motels, and financial institutions to train staff on noticing signs of human trafficking.

After the presentation, Board President Dr. Tim Brown praised the organization for its efforts in the community.

“I think it’s an important topic, and we do appreciate the fact that you guys are devoting your time to that,” Dr. Brown said.