U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) visited the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) headquarters to receive a briefing from law enforcement on efforts to combat human trafficking.

Senator Perdue also toured the Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes Unit lab and visited a partnership between Wellspring Living and Crim High School. The Senator was joined by Attorney General Chris Carr, GBI Director Vic Reynolds, GBI Special Agent Debbie Garner, U.S. Attorney BJay Pak, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, and Cobb County Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Chuck Boring.

“Human trafficking is nothing short of modern-day slavery,” said Senator Perdue. “It endangers our communities and our children. Ending this epidemic requires an all-hands-on-deck approach with partnerships between law enforcement, community leaders, and faith-based organizations. At the state and federal level, we’ve taken action to better assist victims in their recovery and increase penalties on those who commit these heinous crimes. As we heard today, much more needs to be done. Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have already made this a top priority in their administration. Time and again, Georgia has demonstrated that by working together, we can create positive change, and I have no doubt that we will be able to do that here."

“It is truly heartbreaking to know that Georgia has one of the highest rates of human trafficking in the nation,” said First Lady Marty Kemp, Co-Chair of the GRACE Commission. “I am proud to partner with Georgia’s federal, state, and local leaders through the GRACE Commission to crack down on human trafficking, seek justice for victims, hold bad actors accountable, and end human trafficking once and for all.”

“Domestic minor sex trafficking is an ‘all-in issue,’” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We are grateful to work side-by-side with the many federal, state, and local partners who are dedicated to combatting this illegal activity. Together, we will protect our children and end human trafficking in Georgia.”

“Local, state, and federal partnerships are critical to address the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking in our communities,” said GBI Director Vic Reynolds. “Today’s meeting with Senator Perdue and other Georgian stakeholders illustrates that protecting our children from predators remains a high priority. The GBI is fully committed to leveraging all available resources to end this issue in our state.”

In the United States Senate, Senator Perdue has been a strong voice for ending human trafficking and increasing penalties for those convicted of such offenses. He supported multiple pieces of human trafficking legislation that became law, including the Stop Exploitation Through Trafficking Act, Justice For Victims of Trafficking Act, Ending Modern Slavery Initiative Act, and Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act.

On February 26, 2019, First Lady Marty Kemp announced the creation of the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education Commission to combat the threat of human trafficking in the State of Georgia. The GRACE Commission is comprised of public officials, law enforcement, for-profit and non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, and subject matter experts to tackle human trafficking, seek justice for victims, hold bad actors accountable, and end human trafficking.