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January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a reminder to look for people in need in the communities we serve. Operation IFAST gives you the tools to train your staff to identify people who need your help.
When we launched Operation IFAST—ISPs Fight Against Sex Trafficking—the vision was simple but powerful: Broadband providers can play a critical role in protecting the communities they serve.
Rural providers aren’t just building networks, we’re trusted neighbors, uniquely positioned to protect our communities.
Every day, we are invited into homes and businesses, where many others are not. This provides us with opportunities, when properly trained, to recognize and report potential situations of trafficking. This vision is already making a difference.
Two field technicians with an IFAST-participating broadband provider in a small rural Midwest town put their training to use. Months after completing Guardian Group’s course on recognizing the signs of trafficking and exploitation, they were dispatched to a home for a routine service call.
But something felt off. Subtle red flags—the kind most people would overlook—stood out because of their training. Instead of ignoring their instincts, the technicians reported their concerns to a supervisor, who escalated the matter internally.
Coincidentally, the company simultaneously received a subpoena for an IP address matching the physical address of the home in question, prompting the company to report what the technicians had also seen. Law enforcement’s investigation yielded a devastating discovery. A prominent community member was arrested for child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. Investigators learned he had been photographing his 9-year-old daughter and her friends during a sleepover.
It’s unspeakably tragic. It’s evil.
But the perpetrator, who was federally charged, can no longer abuse, and those sweet, innocent girls are now safe and can begin to heal.
While CSAM isn’t sex trafficking directly, it is often a gateway to it, and any abuse of a child is horrific and completely unacceptable. That’s why the training component of Operation IFAST matters so much. It isn’t just a checkbox, it’s life-saving knowledge. This is just one recent example of the impact broadband providers make through Operation IFAST.
To help providers share this commitment, Pioneer Utility Resources generously contributed pro bono time to help create a social media toolkit and a welcome kit for broadband companies that become IFAST certified. Pioneer also made the $1,591 IFAST Certification donation, inspired by U.S. Code Title 18 Section 1591, the federal law criminalizing sex trafficking of children. All of us involved in the program deeply appreciate their support, both financially and with marketing expertise. These resources make it easier for providers to roll out the program and demonstrate leadership in the fight against trafficking.
You Can Make a Difference
Operation IFAST is a simple, three-pronged program under 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Guardian Group that ISPs everywhere can replicate to join the fight against trafficking, a crime facilitated and perpetuated by the very internet service we provide. Our broadband is meant for good, but it’s also being used for evil. We have a responsibility to do what’s right and join the fight.
Get National Support
Operation IFAST is supported by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and ACA Connects–America’s Communications Association, as well as many state associations and industry vendors. Seventy-four companies across the country have already joined the program.
Join Operation IFAST. It’s a small commitment, but it makes a big difference.
1. TRAIN: Use Guardian Group’s free, self-paced online training program to equip your staff, particularly field technicians, with the knowledge to identify red flags while in the field.
2. CONNECT: Connect your local law enforcement with Guardian Group, so they can benefit from the victim identification reports and free investigative support that Guardian Group provides. Invite your police chief or sheriff to lunch, make a phone call or simply send an email to let them know about Guardian Group and encourage them to sign up for their free analytical support on trafficking cases. On average, each Guardian Group lead saves departments eight hours of research time.
3. RAISE: Raise funds so Guardian Group can hire more analysts to identify more victims for law enforcement to recover and raise awareness of the issue in general.
Certify Your Involvement
Any provider can participate, but those ready to lead can take the next step with IFAST Certification, a recognition program for ISPs that go above and beyond and complete the model in full. Certification requires:
- Training 80% of your staff using Guardian Group’s free online training.
- Connecting at least one officer to Guardian Group’s free support.
- Giving $1,591 annually to sustain Guardian Group’s mission.
Has your team completed Operation IFAST training yet? Fill out the form on this page to get certified. Then you can access the Operation IFAST Toolkit.
Have questions about the program? Reach out to ifast@guardiangroup.org. Thanks for your help as we fight human trafficking together.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good (people) to do nothing.” —President John F. Kennedy
Part of this column by Chris Lovell was originally published on NTCA’s blog, How Operation IFAST Is Turning Internet Access into a Tool for Good, then an impact story from the Guardian Group was added. Pioneer is one of three marketing partners for Project iFast, donating our team’s time and talent to build a toolkit for internet service providers.