GBI launches new Human Trafficking Investigations Unit

Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Vic Reynolds, Attorney General Chris Carr and Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Executive Director Jay Neal, announced last week the creation of a new Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit to be housed within the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“I am proud of the work that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has done in the fight against human trafficking,” Kemp said. “With this new HEAT Unit, Director Reynolds will have the resources he needs to crack down on this criminal enterprise and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. By coordinating our efforts with the first lady’s GRACE Commission, Attorney General Chris Carr, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Georgia is making huge strides in combating this evil industry.”

“Today (last Tuesday), we take another important step forward in the fight to end human trafficking,” said First Lady Marty Kemp. “I want to applaud Director Reynolds and his team for their hard work in creating this new unit. I am confident it will be a force for good in our state.”

The HEAT Unit will focus on the enforcement efforts of commercial sex trafficking and labor trafficking as well as the rescue of adult trafficking victims; a special agent in charge and an assistant special agent in charge will lead it. As a startup, the unit will be staffed with four special agents.

“As a proud co-chair of the first lady’s GRACE Commission, I am pleased to announce the GBI standing up a brand new work unit to combat the evil plague of human trafficking,” Reynolds said. “The exploitation and trafficking of persons is a problem that affects all areas of the state and all walks of life. The problem is so serious that at times, victims don’t even realize they are victims. With a concentrated effort on identifying traffickers and victims, we strive to make Georgia a safer place to live for all.”

“Our office is excited to welcome the GBI’s new HEAT Unit to the fight against human trafficking,” Carr said. “Their presence will increase Georgia’s comprehensive approach to eradicating human trafficking—in all its forms—and our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit looks forward to working together to protect Georgia.”

“By continuing to innovate and tackle this issue in victim-centered, multidisciplinary, and collaborative ways, Georgia is continuing to show survivors that Georgia stands with them and will continue to provide the resources needed to combat human trafficking—until that war is won and human traffickers no longer call Georgia home,” Neal said.

With Governor Kemp’s creation of the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission, the approval of funding for the State’s first-ever Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit under the State Attorney General’s Office, the statewide collaborative work of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Human Trafficking Task Force, and legislation aimed at severely punishing criminals and protecting victims, the State is moving to end human trafficking—an estimated $290 million industry annually in Georgia, according to Georgia Cares.

According to Polaris National Hotline statistics, human trafficking is on the rise in the U.S. In 2018, there were approximately 10,300 cases of potential human trafficking reported. This is a 19% increase over the previous year, and 841% increase since 2009.

The following are statistics for human trafficking in the State of Georgia:

•From July 2017 to March 2018, Georgia Cares, (a non-profit serving child sex trafficking victims), received 1,897 calls to the Statewide 24/7 hotline for domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST).

•Since 2009, youth have been referred to Georgia Cares from 145 of 159 Georgia counties.

•More than 91% of domestic minor sex trafficking victims in Georgia were enrolled in school at the time of their exploitation.

•More than 50% of victims are recruited by friends and family.

•Approximately 7,200 men purchase sex from a minor every month in Georgia, accounting for 8,700 sex acts.

HHJ News