By: Ag. Reporter Mollie Goode
A new initiative was announced that raises awareness for human trafficking among the business community on Thursday.
Secretary of State Michael Adams announced the launch of the Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking (KBAT) program. This program provides training materials to businesses interested in equipping employees with tools for reporting human trafficking in Kentucky.
The Secretary of State’s office is also partnering with the Refuge for Women and People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky for free training to help businesses identify potential trafficking threats.
Deanna Lynn, the Executive Director of Refuge for Women, says the group is grateful to participate in the initiative and wants to thank all of the businesses that have already pledged their time and talent to improve the state.
Adams says the United States Department of State has estimated that there are 27.6 million trafficking victims worldwide and Kentucky’s reporting hotline has identified 2,499 victims since 2007.
Program applications are available at sos.ky.gov.