GBAT Frequently Asked Questions
GBAT Frequently Asked Questions
Georgia Businesses Against Trafficking is an initiative by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office to raise awareness of how to spot and report trafficking among businesses and their employees.
GBAT members have access to educational materials that help them better understand how to spot and report trafficking.
Applications are processed in the order in which they were received. Average processing time is between 1 - 2 weeks.
No, but it is highly recommended you display the GBAT logo in a visible space to alert the public that your employees are trained on how to spot and report human trafficking.
The Office of the Secretary of State hosts in-person training events and meetings in which attendance is highly encouraged. Additionally, partnering with anti-human trafficking organizations is another way to get more involved with GBAT. Lastly, you can apply to be a GBAT Business Ambassador in which your business can serve as a liaison between the Georgia Secretary of State and other Georgian businesses to expand GBAT and human trafficking awareness.
No, there is no further business partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office outside of GBAT.
It is highly encouraged for your employees to complete the education training provided in the GABT information packets. As a GBAT member, your business also has access to free in-person training sessions through our partners.
Your business can be as involved as you choose to be. GBAT holds several free training events throughout the year as well as personalized training sessions through our partners.
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States. It can happen in any community and victims can be any age, race, gender, or nationality. Traffickers might use the following methods to lure victims into trafficking situations:
- Violence
- Manipulation
- False promises of well-paying jobs
- Romantic relationships
Language barriers, fear of their traffickers, and/or fear of law enforcement frequently keep victims from seeking help, making human trafficking a hidden crime.
Yes, human trafficking happens everywhere, including urban and rural areas. Due to the nature of the crime, it is hard to pinpoint the exact number of victims, however, the United States Department of State estimates there are 27.6 million victims worldwide at any given time.
In Georgia, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 3,601 cases of human trafficking involving 12,929 victims since 2007.