May 18, 2026 – The City of Decatur has been certified as a “Partner in Peace” after completing training aimed at improving awareness and response to human trafficking in the community.
City employees, including public safety personnel and frontline staff, completed a one-hour course provided by the Center for Prevention of Abuse. The training focused on recognizing warning signs of human trafficking, understanding how the crime can appear in everyday settings, and learning safe reporting procedures.
The certification will be formally presented at the May 18, 2026 City Council meeting.
City Manager Melissa Hon said the initiative reflects a community-wide approach to prevention, noting that all city employees—not just law enforcement—play a role in identifying and responding to potential trafficking situations.
The Center for Prevention of Abuse, a trauma-informed nonprofit based in Peoria, provides training and certification programs for municipalities and other organizations as part of its “Partner in Peace” initiative. The group says the goal is to strengthen community awareness and improve victim identification and support.
As part of the training effort, city employees have also been issued reference materials for use in city vehicles and access to reporting tools, including a dedicated webpage for submitting tips related to suspected human trafficking.
Residents can also report concerns to the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group, a statewide task force that includes the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement partners.
