Peach Tree Times

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp are committed to fighting the scourge of human trafficking, proving their determination with a multi-pronged effort.

Gov. Kemp, a Republican elected in 2018, and Marty Kemp created the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education (GRACE) Commission in February 2019 to organize the effort against modern-day slavery in Georgia.

The GRACE Commission is comprised of public officials, law enforcement, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, faith-based institutions, and experts on the issue to tackle human trafficking, seek justice for victims and hold bad actors accountable.

“Through my work on the GRACE Commission, I quickly learned education and awareness are key in the fight to end human trafficking,” Marty Kemp told Peach Tree Times. “For this issue to be elevated publicly means, preventing more individuals falling victim to this terrible industry, more care and services provided to survivors, more traffickers being held accountable, and most importantly, more lives saved.”

She teamed with the GRACE Commission and the Department of Administrative Services to launch a human trafficking awareness training program for both the general public and state employees. So far, 36,000 Georgia state workers have participated in the training.

Georgia has received nearly $153 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to fight human trafficking.

“Human trafficking is a pervasive, growing threat plaguing communities across our state and country,” Kemp said in a release announcing the grants. “I applaud the federal, state and local partners who are committed to healing victims, seeking justice and holding bad actors accountable. By working together, we will end this criminal enterprise — once and for all.”

Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Claire Murray and Office of Justice Programs Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney Katherine T. Sullivan joined the first lady in saying the funds would target the insidious crime.

“Human trafficking is a cruel and barbaric practice that calls to mind the darkest moments of our history, and sadly it has left its mark on the communities of Georgia,” Murray said. “Under the direction of Attorney General Barr, the Department of Justice is putting the full weight of its resources behind the brave men and women of the state who are fighting trafficking perpetrators and bringing relief to victims. We commend these courageous and compassionate professionals and are proud to lend them our full support.”

“Human trafficking is an obscene violation of human rights and human dignity, affecting millions of people worldwide, countless victims in this country and hundreds if not thousands of men, women and children right here in Georgia,” Sullivan said. “We are so grateful to the law enforcement officers who pursue these vicious criminals and to the dedicated service providers who work around the clock to get survivors the help they so desperately need and deserve.”

On Sept. 21, Gov. Kemp and first lady Kemp hosted U.S. Attorney General William Barr and White House adviser Ivanka Trump, daughter of President Donald Trump, as they announced nearly $101 million in DOJ grants to combat human trafficking in the country. Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, whose foundation tackles human trafficking, also took part in the event.

The Kemps, Barr and Ivanka Trump toured The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy in downtown Atlanta. The event included news that Wellspring Living, a nonprofit based in Atlanta that provides recovery services and transition housing for human trafficking victims, will receive $500,000 from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the U.S. Department of Justice to aid its efforts.

“In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to ensure that human trafficking survivors have access to safe, stable housing,” Gov. Kemp said in a release. “The resources announced today will help Wellspring Living increase the support and resources available to survivors, empowering them to move forward with rebuilding their lives.”

The first lady praised Wellspring Executive Director Mary Frances Bowley and staff at the nonprofit organization.

“Mary Frances and her team at Wellspring Living understand the importance of these funds in their efforts to enhance the lives of human trafficking survivors in our state,” she said. “Under this funding, Wellspring will be able to expand their efforts and ensure that more survivors get the help they need.”

The Georgia General Assembly unanimously passed three pieces of GRACE Commission-backed legislation that support survivors and show traffickers they are not welcome in Georgia:

HB 823: Suspends the commercial driver’s license for anyone knowingly using a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of sexual or labor trafficking crimes.

HB 911: Closes a dangerous loophole and strengthens penalties for offenses of sexual misconduct by a foster parent.

SB 435: The “Survivors First Act” creates multiple pathways specifically for survivors of human trafficking to restrict access to their criminal records and/or secure vacatur, which is an order essentially overturning or nullifying a criminal conviction. This legislation was developed in close coordination with advocacy groups, stakeholders and members of the GRACE Commission.

The state opened an emergency intake center for trafficked youth, the Receiving Hope Center, in February. This facility provides residential care to identified minor sex trafficking victims. All participants receive wrap-around services including an individualized care plan during a 90-day stay.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation recently announced a new Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit and a new Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit within the Department of Law.