Every month, 7,200 men purchase sex with an innocent minor in Georgia, and the average victim is just over 14 years old. It’s an evil industry driven by profit that undermines the safety of our families. Through strategic partnerships, we are taking timely action to end the scourge in our state and country.
In February 2019 my husband, Gov. Brian Kemp, signed an Executive Order creating the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission. Comprised of public officials, law enforcement, for-profit and non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, and subject matter experts, this Commission set out to tackle human trafficking, seek justice for victims, and hold bad actors accountable.
In partnership with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, the GRACE Commission developed a human trafficking awareness training program. The program, which is open for state employees and the public, educates participants on the warning signs of trafficking and who to contact for help. To date, over 36,000 state employees have participated. By raising awareness and educating people on the issue, we are building a strong army of trained eyes that has the ability to save lives.
During the 2020 Legislative Session, the GRACE Commission spearheaded three pieces of legislation to hold traffickers accountable and support survivors. House Bill 823 permanently revokes the commercial license of any person who knowingly uses a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of sexual or labor trafficking crimes. House Bill 911 closes a dangerous loophole and strengthens penalties for offenses of sexual misconduct by a foster parent. Lastly, Senate Bill 435, the Survivors First Act, creates multiple pathways specifically for survivors of human trafficking to restrict access to their criminal records or secure vacatur, which is an order essentially overturning or nullifying a criminal conviction. These new laws, when combined with effective enforcement, will send a clear message to traffickers that Georgia is NOT open for their business.
To enhance our impact on the state level and assist with the national effort to end human trafficking in America, we have proudly worked with the Trump Administration on numerous initiatives.
During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we partnered with Secretary Elaine Chao and signed the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking Pledge. We linked up with OutFront Media for a human trafficking PSA campaign on MARTA buses and trains as well as digital billboards around the state. Right now, we are working to finalize a poster with the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s information that will be shared at all rest stops and welcome centers throughout Georgia. A sticker with all of this information will also be placed on the back side of the door in all bathroom stalls.
One of the highlights of the year was visiting Wellspring Living and City of Refuge with Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump. At City of Refuge, we met with several survivors and heard their tragic stories of abuse and neglect. Then, at Wellspring Living, we learned about their Women’s Academy Program, a ten-week career readiness program that is followed by a paid apprenticeship at Georgia-based companies like Delta, Fab’rik, and UPS.
These two stops left an impression on Advisor Trump. After the event, one of Wellspring Living’s survivors was chosen for the President’s Survivor Advisory Council, and in August, the Department of Justice and Advisor Trump announced Wellspring Living would receive $500,000 in housing assistance grants from the Office for Victims of Crime.
Even during the pandemic, the fight against human trafficking continues. Recently, we announced the newly created Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, which will be housed at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The HEAT Unit will focus on the enforcement efforts of commercial sex trafficking and labor trafficking as well as the rescue of adult victims.
While encouraged by our progress, there is still much more work to be done. We are grateful for President Trump’s strong support and know that our partnership will help protect our families from this terrible industry and provide courageous survivors the tools and resources that they need to thrive.
Together, we will end modern-day slavery once and for all.