First Lady Marty Kemp had a lot of conversations with Georgia residents while traveling across the state on the campaign trail. One issue “struck close to home”– the rate of human trafficking in Georgia.
Tuesday afternoon, Kemp stood with her husband, Governor Brian Kemp, GBI Director Vic Reynolds and Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones, and a host of other legislators, and announced a new initiative aimed at combating human trafficking in the state and giving victims a voice. Kemp will co-chair the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion and Education, or GRACE Commission, with Reynolds and Jones.
“At stops across the state, moms would tell me about their concerns about their children’s safety. They were truly worried that they could be in harm’s way. And I heard this from people of all walks of life,” said Kemp. “As Georgia’s first family we are obligated to make a difference, and we are taking action. We are unwilling to accept that our home state has one of the highest rates in the nation. We will give these victims a voice.”
According to Kemp, the GRACE commission will be comprised of public officials, law enforcement, for-profit and non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions and subject matter experts “to tackle human trafficking, serve justice for victims, hold bad actors accountable and end human trafficking.”
Members of the GRACE Commission are expected to be announced in the next several weeks, along with the date of the first meeting — which will be open to the public.
Governor Kemp also spoke at the press conference. “We live in a state with one of the highest rates in the nation for human trafficking, with countless victims, many of which are children. And although Georgia is the best state in the nation for business, an economic powerhouse, a state with great promise for so many, it is also a hub for organized crime, street gangs, and exploitation of thousands of people on an annual basis — representing an industry of $290 million each year.
“We have work to do,” Gov. Kemp continued. “We cannot stand for this devastating reality. Marty and I stand here today to reaffirm our commitment to ending this criminal enterprise in our state. We make this pledge not only as Georgia’s first family, but as parents.”
Gov. Kemp also announced that last Friday his floor leader Sen. Brian Strickland (R-McDonough) introduced S.B. 158, the Anti-Human Trafficking Protective Response Act. “This
legislation demonstrates my administration’s commitment, as well as my family’s commitment, to fight the growing threat of modern day slavery in Georgia.”
The bill increases penalties for related sexual offenses, expands on laws that ban servitude and gives the Division of Family and Children Services authority to care for children who are victims of human trafficking.
Reynolds, who took over as Director of the GBI last week, reaffirmed his commitment to fighting human trafficking.
“This is a clarion call across this state as individuals gather united to make sure people know that that no longer will we tolerate the selling of our children in the state of Georgia,” said Reynolds. “But if you do that, you will be investigated, you will be arrested, and you will be prosecuted. And at the conclusion of that, we will do everything possible, not only legally, but ethically, and morally, to put the lives of those victims back were that need to be.”
