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What is it Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is a horrific crime where individuals, often young girls and women, are deceived, coerced, or forced into situations of sexual exploitation. Traffickers use manipulation, violence, and threats to strip victims of their freedom, leaving them feeling helpless and trapped. This crime can happen anywhere, including in our own communities, and it impacts real people who desperately need help and support to escape.
+ 1 (888) 373-7888
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Traffickers frequently use emotional manipulation, physical threats, and financial control to trap their victims, creating overwhelming barriers that make escape nearly impossible.
Although anyone can become a victim of trafficking, individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, poverty, or abuse are often targeted by traffickers due to their limited resources and support systems.
Sex trafficking can occur right in front of us—whether in our neighborhoods, online, or at businesses we frequent—and it can be difficult to spot without knowing the warning signs.
Is it in South Atlanta
Yes, sex trafficking is a pressing issue in South Atlanta. Atlanta ranks second in the nation for human trafficking cases, trailing only Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, this issue has spread to surrounding counties, including Coweta and Fayette counties. Their close proximity to Atlanta, a major transportation hub, makes them particularly vulnerable to trafficking, with traffickers and victims often moving along key highways like I-85 and I-75.
In 2022, Georgia’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit recovered 116 children from trafficking situations.
The average age of children being sold is between 12 and 14 years old.
Additionally, each month, approximately 12,400 men in Georgia pay for sex with a young woman, and 7,200 of them end up exploiting an adolescent female.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for continued efforts to combat sex trafficking in the region.
In recent years, law enforcement in Coweta and Fayette Counties have taken significant action to combat trafficking. For example, in June 2023, a two-day sting operation led to over 20 arrests, including charges of pandering and pimping. Notably, a man from Miami was arrested for trafficking a woman into the area, underscoring the interstate nature of trafficking networks.
Community awareness and vigilance are essential in addressing this issue. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities to local authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. By staying informed and proactive, communities in Coweta and Fayette counties can play a pivotal role in disrupting trafficking networks and supporting survivors.
What can citizens do?
- Learn the signs.
- See something, say something.
- Take the pledge to talk to at least 5 people about sex trafficking.
- Host a coffee and conversation.
- Encourage businesses, churches, health care providers, and schools to offer training and education.
- Take the FREE online training “OnWatch” HERE and learn to spot the signs and symptoms of trafficking.