COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Attorney General and Chair of the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, Alan Wilson, has announced the launch of a new statewide certification program.

The new program which is in partnership with Safe House Project, will provide certifications for service providers working with human trafficking victims. According to state leaders, the Safe House certification will be required for South Carolina based residential and community-based programs.

Up to 20 programs in South Carolina will receive this certification service each year, with eight non-profits invited to participate in the first round of the process.

As an additional incentive, the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force will include those who receive certification in its online resource directory. Certified programs will also be added to the National Human Trafficking Hotline victim services referral list.

“As we work to expand Safe House Certification across the country, partnerships like South Carolina’s will serve as a model for other states,” said Brittany Dunn, COO of Safe House Project. “Our goal is to strengthen survivor care nationwide by ensuring every program has the tools, training, and resources to provide the highest level of trauma-informed, survivor-centered support.”

For more information about anti-human trafficking efforts in South Carolina, visit the State Task Force website.

To report an incident or seek victim services, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The Hotline is confidential and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.