Georgia officials will now have more tools to fight human trafficking and provide more support and resources to victims of these crimes, thanks to nearly $153 million in grant funding.
First Lady Marty Kemp joined GRACE Commission members, U.S. Department of Justice officials, Attorney General Chris Carr, and U.S. Attorneys BJay Pak and Charles Peeler Tuesday to announce the additional funding. The grant awards will support a wide range of activities across the state, including $4.3 million which will be used to assist law enforcement officials and victim service providers in prosecuting human traffickers and aiding survivors.
“Human trafficking is a pervasive, growing threat plaguing communities across our state and country,” said First Lady Marty Kemp. “I applaud our federal, state, and local partners who are committed to holding bad actors accountable, seeking justice for victims, and helping survivors heal. I am deeply grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice for this new funding that will truly save lives. By working together, we will put an end to this criminal enterprise, once and for all.”
Soon after Governor Brian Kemp took office in January, First Lady Kemp announced the creation of the GRACE Commission — a new initiative aimed at combating human trafficking in the state and giving victims a voice. Kemp co-chairs the commissioner with GBI Director Vic Reynolds and Speaker Pro-Tempore Jan Jones.
According to officials, a grant to the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council will fund a multi-disciplinary task force composed of law enforcement agencies, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and several victim service organizations. Other awards will help to ensure that children and minors who are victimized receive counseling, case management, and other critical services.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr took part in the grant announcement and stated that the funds will help “make it possible to continue and expand on our anti-trafficking efforts.”
“These resources will help ensure more victims in Georgia get the help and support that they need and ensure that law enforcement officials have every tool at their disposal to put buyers and traffickers behind bars where they belong,” said Carr.
A portion of the state’s awards will cover a wide range of criminal justice, juvenile justice, and victim service activities. Officials said the grants will support school safety initiatives, law enforcement hiring, services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims, inmate re-entry services, youth mentoring, and efforts to combat online child exploitation and manage sex offenders
“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,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Katharine Sullivan. “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.”
