PHOENIX – Today, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, APS, SRP, TEP, UniSource Energy Services, and the Arizona Anti-Human Trafficking Network are excited to announce a joint effort to provide human trafficking training to utility employees across the state. Building awareness around human trafficking in Arizona is an important effort especially during Human Trafficking Awareness month.
Representatives from each organization met over a handful of months to craft this initiative that APS, SRP and TEP have shared with their employees. The training focuses on awareness of human trafficking and how to report it.
“This partnership reflects our collective commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable members of our communities,” said Attorney General Mayes. “I want to thank APS, SRP, TEP, and the Arizona Anti-Human Trafficking Network for their attention to this critical issue. By equipping frontline workers with the tools to recognize and report human trafficking, we are taking another step toward making Arizona safer for everyone.”
“Thousands of APS employees live and work in communities across Arizona and this training will raise awareness about the warning signs of human trafficking,” said Bob Smith, APS Executive Vice President and General Counsel “Through this partnership with our peer utilities and the Attorney General’s Office, we are committed to supporting efforts to combat this serious issue. Together, we can make a difference.”
“As one of the largest employers in the state, SRP is committed to ensuring the safety of the communities and those who live and visit here,” said Michael O’Connor, SRP Associate General Manager and Chief Legal Executive. “This training will provide our employees with important information that could help protect someone from becoming a victim of human trafficking.”
“We welcome an opportunity to contribute to the fight against human trafficking,” said Amy Welander, Vice President and General Counsel of TEP and UniSource. “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.”
“The Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network is proud to partner with APS, SRP, and TEP on this important initiative,” said Fidencio Rivera, Board President, and Chair of AATN. “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. Collaboration like this enhances our ability to protect vulnerable individuals and build safer communities statewide.”
Through increased awareness in the utilities organizations we can work together statewide to combat this challenging issue.
News Media Contact:Joseph Barrios(520) 884-3725jbarrios@tep.com
