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From Kentucky Lantern

By Tom Latek

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – Secretary of State Michael Adams said Thursday that his office, along with industry partners, is launching Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking (KBAT), a new initiative to raise awareness of human trafficking among the business community.

“Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery, and we must do all we can to put an end to it in Kentucky,” Adams said at a Capitol press conference. “As Kentucky’s Chief Business Official, I am happy to partner with our business community to raise awareness of how to spot and report trafficking.”

He noted that human trafficking is a big business. “The U.S State Department says there are some 27 million being trafficked. Think about that. We have four and a half million in Kentucky. 27 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking.”

The new program provides training materials and videos to participating businesses, equipping their employees with the tools to help spot and report human trafficking in Kentucky.

Seth Cutter, with the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky Airport, said, “This is an effort to be applauded. Just raising awareness about this vital issue is so important, to give survivors and victims hope, and to show that we are working on it. Kentucky businesses can play a big role in raising that awareness.”

The Secretary of State’s Office will also coordinate free trainings through partnerships with the Refuge for Women and People Against Trafficking Humans (PATH) Coalition of Kentucky for businesses to teach employees about human trafficking and how they can spot and report it.

“So often, the problem of Human Trafficking seems so big and overwhelming most people in the community don’t know how to spot, help or get involved in a solution,” said Deanna Lynn, Executive Director of the Refuge for Women. “We are thankful for a community of people collectively offering their time and talents to let people know they are not for sale and there is hope for those who have been purchased. With the top two traffickers being familial or familiar, this problem is closer to our circles than most are aware. This effort is a chance to not just be aware but help bring people to help and a home.”

Interested businesses can apply to participate in the free program at sos.ky.gov.