Page 6 - DDS The Scoop July 2019

DDS NEWSLETTER

Efforts to Raise Human Trafficking
Awareness with Melissa Mims

In September 2018, the Regulatory Compliance Division, CDL Unit was awarded a Human
Trafficking grant by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) intended
to manage efforts to combat trafficking through Georgia’s transportation industry and
the nation. In February, Melisa Mims became the Human Trafficking Coordinator and has
been quite busy since then. In her efforts, Mims immediately made contact and created a
partnership with industry leader, Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). DDS is leveraging the
partnership with TAT to co-brand marketing literature and work toward fully adopting the
Motor Vehicle Enforcement Model (MVE).

Kylla Llanier, Deputy Director of TAT stated, “Georgia will be shaded dark blue as fully
implemented on the model in no time!

DDS was immediately extended membership to the State Human Trafficking Task Force
when Mims attended the April meeting, foregoing the usual 6-month wait for new
members. Within the task force, Mims is active with Work Group I, which focuses on
the hospitality and transportation industry, with the goal of increasing the awareness of
Georgia’s notification law.

Mims also regularly attends several outreach events to raise awareness of the dangers
of human trafficking. On June 1, she was a vendor at the Falcons Fury Harley-Davidson
Redemption Drive. During this event, funds were raised to remove tattoos from
trafficking victims. On June 5, Mims spoke to the Rockdale Rotary Club to explain how the
commercial transportation industry and human trafficking intersects at state-operated
rest areas, motels, truck stops and welcome centers. Victims may be transported via taxis
and commercial driving services, buses, and airlines. Lastly, on June 19, she trained her first
CDL School, the Truck Driver Institute, where she spoke on how to recognize and report
Human Trafficking.

Mims is also raising awareness internally at DDS. She created a bulletin board with
trafficking data, so employees can stay informed, educated and help end the human
trafficking movement.

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