In a significant move to tackle human trafficking in Arizona, the Attorney General's office, alongside major utility companies and a key anti-trafficking network, is launching statewide training for utility employees. Attorney General Kris Mayes is spearheading the initiative with support from APS, SRP, TEP, UniSource Energy Services, and the Arizona Anti-Human Trafficking Network, seeking to raise the alarm on the prevalent issue during Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
With utility workers often on the frontlines in communities, the training is aimed at recognizing, and subsequently reporting, signs of human trafficking. "This partnership reflects our collective commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable members of our communities," Mayes stated, according to the press release from the Arizona Attorney General's Office. Each participating utility company has adopted the program, with APS being one of the first to train their employees on detecting warning signs. Bob Smith, APS Executive Vice President, and General Counsel, said, "This training will raise awareness about the warning signs of human trafficking.”
The programs in place will focus on enlightening employees about human trafficking indicators and the appropriate methods to report any suspicions. SRP's dedication to the cause was emphasized by Michael O’Connor, the company's Associate General Manager and Chief Legal Executive. He stated the company’s large employee base boosts its capacity to impact the security of the Arizona community. "This training will provide our employees with important information that could help protect someone from becoming a victim of human trafficking," O’Connor told the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Amy Welander, Vice President and General Counsel of TEP and UniSource, welcomes this unified approach, "Building awareness of the issue and the steps that can be taken to report it can promote victim assistance efforts and reduce the prevalence of this awful and all-too-common crime," she highlighted. Joining the communal effort, Fidencio Rivera, Board President and Chair of the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network, praised the utility companies' involvement. "By providing training to utilities employees, we are expanding the reach of human trafficking awareness and strengthening Arizona’s ability to identify and address this issue," Rivera said in the press release. With this concerted effort, there's renewed hope for improved safety across Arizona, uniting organizations in the fight against human trafficking.
