In partnership with Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, the Georgia Department of Public Health Office of EMS and Trauma has initiated a voluntary training program aimed at equipping EMS personnel with the skills needed to identify and support potential victims of human trafficking.
The initiative coincides with Human Trafficking Prevention Month and serves as an opportunity to both raise awareness and combat such crimes.
As first responders, EMS personnel are often among the first to encounter victims of human trafficking in critical moments, according to state officials, and therefore recognizing the signs remain crucial. The newly-implemented training is designed to empower EMS providers with the tools, knowledge and legal insights necessary to identify trafficking victims, offer essential support and take action.
“EMS personnel are often the only public safety or healthcare providers to give care to victims of human trafficking,” said Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D. “This training offers EMS providers an opportunity to deepen their understanding of human trafficking, gain insight into relevant laws, and enhance their ability to support victims in their most vulnerable moments.”
In Georgia, estimates by officials suggest more than 370 girls are victims of trafficking each month. The average age of victims is just over 14 years old. And trafficking is said to affect people of all genders, ages and socio-economic backgrounds.
“I want to thank both the team at DPH for their efforts in developing this training and all of our EMS personnel who do so much to promote the health of Georgians and help us fight human trafficking,” Marty Kemp said. “These brave first responders are in a critically important role, interacting with survivors in their most vulnerable moments. By knowing the signs and how to report them, they can go even further in their work to save lives.”
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, acting on behalf of Marty Kemp, the Office of the Governor introduced a 10th piece of legislation intended to combat human trafficking in Georgia. Senate Bill 42 (SB 42), supported by Marty Kemp, addresses a loophole in state law to ensure traffickers face the full penalties of crimes committed.
“Georgia is a national leader in the fight against human trafficking because of our work supporting survivors and shining a light on the dark corners where this crime thrives,” Marty Kemp said Wednesday. “The legislation introduced today will further that mission by ensuring proper penalties for offenders and securing greater justice for their victims. It will also build on the other initiatives we’re launching this week to make Georgians more aware of the dangers of human trafficking and how to report suspected trafficking situations.”
To report suspected human trafficking in Georgia, call the Statewide 24-Hour Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-866-ENDHTGA (1-866-363-4842).
