Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield Urge Georgia General Assembly to Support Georgia Trauma Informed Child and Youth Trafficking Response Act

ATLANTA - State Representatives Sandra G. Scott (D-Rex), Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) and Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) urge the General Assembly to appropriate $500,000 to fund coordination positions under the Georgia Trauma Informed Child and Youth Trafficking Response Act (LC 48 1659), which would create the state's first trauma-informed, statewide system to protect children and youth who are victims of human trafficking.

"Georgia cannot continue to fight child trafficking with a fragmented system and expect different results," said Rep. Scott. "Children who have been trafficked are not criminals-they are victims of unspeakable trauma. The $500,000 we are requesting is not about bureaucracy; it is about coordination, protection and accountability. This funding will save lives, prevent re-traumatization and finally bring Georgia's response into the 21st century."

"We know trafficking is happening in our communities, in our neighborhoods and, too often, within families," added Rep. Davis. "Doing nothing-or doing too little-comes at a far greater cost. This modest investment gives Georgia the structure it needs to identify victims early, intervene safely and stop children from falling through the cracks of disconnected systems."

"Every time a trafficked child is arrested, ignored or shuffled between agencies, the system has failed," concluded Rep. Schofield. "This funding is about changing that reality. With $500,000, Georgia can put trained coordinators in place to ensure trauma-informed responses, stronger investigations and real protection for our most vulnerable children."

The Georgia Trauma Informed Child and Youth Trafficking Response Act is drafted legislation that would establish a state-wide care coordination office, the Georgia Child and Youth Trafficking Care Coordination Office, within the Department of Human Services. The $500,000 funding request would support regional navigators and coordination positions housed within the proposed Georgia Child and Youth Trafficking Care Coordination Office. Through this legislation, Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield seek to emphasize coordination over expansion, prevention over crisis and accountability through annual public reporting. The legislation would not expand criminal penalties and expressly protects child victims from prosecution for offenses resulting from trafficking.

Reps. Scott, Davis and Schofield shared a copy of the draft legislation here.

*Editor's note: these representatives include a photo.

Representative Sandra Scott represents the citizens of District 76, which includes a portion of Clayton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Insurance and Reapportionment and Redistricting committees.

Representative Viola Davis represents the citizens of District 87, which includes a portion of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2018 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Insurance, Natural Resources & Environment and Urban Affairs committees.

Representative Kim Schofield represents the citizens of District 63, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves as Secretary of the Urban Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment, Health, Industry and Labor and Small Business Development committees.

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