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ATLANTA () — Georgia is once more stepping up its initiatives to combat human trafficking by providing training opportunities for businesses, as announced by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) on Friday.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 27 million individuals worldwide are ensnared in human trafficking. Atlanta has been identified by the FBI as one of the 14 U.S. cities with alarmingly high incidents of child sex trafficking, Raffensperger highlighted.
Data from Human Trafficking Courts reveals that four out of every 100,000 residents in Georgia fall victim to human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar enterprise, ranking alongside arms dealing as the world’s second-largest illegal trade,” stated Secretary Raffensperger. “This heinous activity is taking place right in our neighborhoods, affecting both city and rural areas alike. To abolish this atrocity, we must unite in our efforts to dismantle trafficking once and for all.”
The initiative, known as Georgia Businesses Against Trafficking (GBAT), aims to empower businesses with the knowledge to identify and report instances of human trafficking effectively.
After registering for GBAT, businesses will receive a resource kit including educational materials, signage and window clings. The program also offers free virtual human trafficking training sessions for GBAT members through a collaboration with Wellspring Living and Street Grace, two Georgia based non-profits working to fight human trafficking.
“This is not an issue where there can be too many cooks in the kitchen,” the Secretary added. “The more citizens know what to look for, the more we can hold these criminals accountable.”
Secretary Raffensperger was joined by GBAT members from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association and Wellspring Living for the announcement.
Participating in GBAT is free. Georgia business owners and non-profits can join the coalition by clicking or tapping here.